Trinity Blood: War Continuum

by smcandy

Taking place one month after the anime's finale from Ep. 24 with additional materials from the manga. A/E main pairing to semi major love triangle or more with one-sided love.

42. Thirty Two: Lives on the Line

(AN) AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay everyone, sorry for taking so long on this. A thousand and one apologies again or such a long delay in updates especially for chapter 32. Life intervened mostly for my editor's part and work schedule which is getting more hectic each month. tan me this long overdue. It was supposed to be update during my birthday which was on the 27th of September. From what dragonwriter24cmf says on her part "...Abel didn't want to be written as a Crusnik, and he was arguing with me!". Okay, truth be told, she when checking over the chapter wasn't quite sure how to deal with his 100% form, cause we've only seen it once, which was in the last episode of the anime. And at the time he'd just returned from the dead and was probably completely off his head. We hope this satisfies everybody though, and that you all enjoy reading it.

We know we've had a few concerned comments about Abel acting a little (OCC) out of character, what with his temper showing so much and all, and his tendency to transform. Our take on it, or reason for it, is this: Abel is under a huge amount of strain. His brother's trying to kill him, and leading a rogue group out to cause mayhem, the woman he loves is in danger, and his friends are too. Plus, his sister. At times like these, Abel tends to be just a little 'not sane'. He gets either destructive, or he withdraws and hides in a cave or something where no one can find him for God only knows how long. I think he's being quite well behaved. But for those of you who are worried about missing your fun-loving priest...I'm pretty sure he'll be back. When the crisis is over.

I'd say I'm sorry for the cliff-hanger, but I'm not really...and I'm a horrible liar. So...well, you'll have to wait and see what happens next, and we'll try not to make you wait too long next time. Now that Abel's being a tad more cooperative (we hope ^^), it shouldn't take as long. Until then...please read and review!

(*) As always many specialthanks to my editor and co-partner in helping finally get this story off the ground and back burner dragonwriter24cmf. So far we have been getting by with this fan fiction by bit by bit with story and with you guy the fans that love reading each new chapter that comes out. Thanks to everyone, I appreciate your support through this 100% everyone. Keep the constructive criticisms, outgoing comments and reviews coming in.

DISCLAIMER: All rights to Trinity Blood was created and © by late Yoshida Sunao, the anime directed by Tomohiro Hirata and produced by the studio GONZO, as well as a manga drawn by Yoshida Sunao's friend Kiyo Kyoujou. All © rights revered by their respective owners. I own nothing except © to this story, it's plot and it's OC's that will eventually show within later chapters.

Warning:This fan fiction is rated (M) AKA Lemon. This story is ABSOULTLY NOT suitable for children or teens below the age of 16 [So if you're under the age limit turn back now, come back when you old enough to read this. I'd rather not get flamed nor sued by parents whom are just looking for trouble in places their underage children should not be looking nor reading for that matter.This story contains strong explicit adult themes and sexual ones such slight foreplay - as in hand sex, one-sided love, Attempted Rape, Explicit Sex or anything else mild to hard core kinky for that matter!, references to violence, and strong coarse language. If this disturbs you, do not read any further.

Notice: Trinity Blood War Continuum takes place one month after the events from the anime's finale episode 24 along with some elements, characters and things that will be used and taken from both manga's Rage against the Moons (RAM), Reborn on the Mars (ROM). In addition to some spoilers from stories untold notes left by Yoshida Sunao which he intended to finish off the manga series supposedly. Basically 50/50 will be used on both the anime and manga to those whom are more familiar with manga then others will see this implants as the story develops. Trinity Blood is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the Roman Catholic Church/the Vatican is portrayed as a military and spiritual power. The series also strongly implies major and controversial changes in the Church of present reality, such as women being bishops, cardinals as well as romantic relationships and marriages between members of the clergy. If this disturbs you of form or shape of or on imagination then do not read this story.

Trinity Blood: War Continuum – Chapter 32: - Lives on the Line

The silence that seemed to follow Seth's collapse was almost deafening. Esther felt numb, sick. She wanted to run forward, but both Sieglind and Isaac had a grip on her arms. She wanted to collapse in the dirt, but she couldn't seem to manage that either. Her mind stuttered to a halt, broken fragments of thought pounding through her brain. No. No. Seth...please, don't let this be real. Seth... Lightning images of the young Empress, her playful manners, her gentle kindness and her easy competence, flashed into her brain, tumbling over one another before the vision of that last, awful strike swallowed them up.

Cain stood still for a moment, gazing at the body. His eyes were cool, empty, not a shred of remorse visible in them. The same gaze he'd worn when he'd looked at Abel's fallen body in the Underground. Then he moved toward the fallen figure, until he stood above her. "Well then, 03. I believe you have something I want." He crouched, his hand reaching down to dip into the red-black pool of Seth's blood.

Esther felt her blood freeze, realizing what he meant to do. He meant to take Seth's blood. His own sister. Rage, fear and sorrow boiled through her. "Stop! Don't touch her! Why...how could you do this?" Helpless tears were streaming down her face. "How could you do something like this?" Her throat was raw from the force of her screams.

Cain glanced up. "I did warn her. Still, 03 does have something I want. Her power will unlock the ARK for me. And she knew the consequences."

"Consequences? She's your sister. How can you talk like that?" She wanted to throw herself forward, to strike him. Wanted to protect that slender, unmoving form.

"It's nothing to worry about. After all, 03's legacy will still remain in me." He reached down.

"Mien Herr." Isaac spoke softly. "I apologize for interrupting, but it appears we have company." He pointed.

Esther and Cain both looked up. Lights that weren't stars had appeared above the ARK. Esther swallowed, hope and fear in her heart.

"02. I knew he would come." Cain's voice sounded satisfied. "Isaac."

"Judging from the appearance, my lord, they should land shortly." Isaac inclined his head. "I'm afraid I can't give you a more accurate assessment than that."

"Ah, well. I suppose I don't have time to deal with 03 properly then. After all, it wouldn't do for Abel to arrive in the middle of things." Cain shifted, his head tilting to look at the brightening lights. Then he bent, and with a smooth, easy motion, ran his hand through the growing pool of Seth's blood. "This will do for now." He absently licked the blood from his palm, then cupped his hand and let the reddish-black liquid pool in the center. The he turned. "Isaac."

"My lord." The dark-haired Methuselah bowed.

Cain smiled. "You and the others stay here and greet our guests. Lady Esther and I will proceed to the central bridge." He held out his unstained hand. "Come, Esther."

Esther shrank back from him. "No..." She felt frozen, trapped by the horror of watching her friend die. She wanted desperately to look away, but her eyes were riveted on the widening pool of blood, the still, small form at the center of it. "No..."

Cain studied her a moment. Then, too fast to see, he was beside her, an empty smile turning one corner of his mouth. "I'm afraid you have no choice, my dear."

His free hand seized her arm in a grip of iron. Sieglind and Isaac immediately stepped away from her. Esther tugged, but she knew even as she tried that it was futile. But she couldn't seem to get a grip on her emotions. Reality felt distorted. She knew she was going into shock, as she had at Abel's death in Londinium, but she couldn't stop it. "No...let go of me."

"Come. We'll have to prepare for 02's arrival." Cain smiled, then turned and walked towards the open doors, pulling her along. Esther stumbled forward beside him, knowing it was walk or be dragged.

Dietrich was waiting inside, standing at the far end of the room they entered. He'd opened a panel, and he'd obviously been working hard. He looked up at the sound of their footsteps, then snapped to attention. "Master Cain...my lord." His face was tense, pale. "My Lord, I'm afraid we haven't gotten the main power online. I've been able to reawaken the recognition software, but it's degraded, and I haven't managed to crack the security on this. I just need a little more time..."

"02 is on his way. It's a pity, I would have expected better of you, Marionettespieler." Cain smiled, his empty cold, smile. "It matters not. I have other ways."

"My lord..." Dietrich paled even further. "We're almost through..."

Cain didn't pay him any attention. Instead, he strode up to the panel, pulling Esther in his wake. Esther stumbled, cold dread filling her. The Contra Mundi's cold eyes surveyed the panels, then his blood-smeared hand reached out, and touched one specific plate.

Light flared. "Recognition confirmed. Biological pattern: Seth Nightroad. Primary access to shipboard systems and scientific equipment, granted." The doors cracked open.

"There." An empty smile touched his face. "And now, for the second phase." He tilted his head, considering something. "I had hoped to wait until 02 arrived, after I'd joined with him, but after 03's interference, I suppose it's best not to wait." He studied his own hand for a moment, then held it out. Crimson flared about him, shining in his eyes. Esther flinched as his nails lengthened to claws, cutting slightly into her arm. Then the Contra Mundi shrugged, and casually tightened his fist, slicing open his own hand to allow black blood to once more pool in his palm. Then his hand tapped a button, and he laid the bleeding palm over the light panel once more.

A faint vibration rumbled through the ship. Esther felt something shudder again. It reminded her of the feel of liftoff, when she rode in a ship like the Iron Maiden, but it was much deeper.

"Recognition confirmed." Light flared again, panels all over the room blinking sluggishly to life. "Biological pattern: Cain Nightroad. Primary online programs beginning automatic repair and access sequencing. Access to major primary computer and onboard systems and databases granted. Limited access to secondary systems granted."

"There. That should do." Cain shrugged. "02's blood would have given me access to the secondary and weapons systems, but it's all right. After all, he'll be here soon enough." The cool gaze turned to Dietrich, standing ram-rod stiff nearby. "Esther and I will be going on ahead. You'd better help Isaac ready the welcome for our guests. But do remember, I don't want you picking a fight with Abel. Understood?" That cold smile widened just a fraction, laced with madness.

Dietrich paled. "Understood, my lord." His glance touched the now open doors. "If he comes this far, do you want me to let him through then?"

"Well, I do need him to make it to the command deck." Cain nodded. "But...I trust you won't make it too easy for him, or 03's men to interfere with my plans. After all, they've proved quite troublesome in that regard."

"Understood, my lord." Dietrich bowed. "I'll rejoin Wizard and the others then." A tight grin touched his mouth, and he lifted one hand in an ironic wave. "And Esther...do take care."

He looked like he might have added more, but Cain's hand pulled her forward. "Come, my dear." She looked up to see that wild, cruel smile on his face. "It's time for you to see where 02 and I are really from, don't you think?" Then he turned, and strode into the depths of the ship, pulling her with him.

Esther swallowed, and finally found something to say, to break her paralysis. "I thought...Father Nightroad came from Londinium. He told me he was from Albion."

"Well, that is where Abel was born, my dear. But this..." He gestured to the faintly glowing halls. "This is the birthplace of the Crusnik, my dear. And no matter how much 02 denies it, this is where he found his true purpose." One hand reached out to stroke the dark grey walls. "This is where Abel used his power at my side, the Enemy of the World. He did tell you, didn't he?"

Esther bit her lip. "This...you're wrong. Father Nightroad...he...he might have made a few mistakes, but he...he isn't like that." her voice sounded weak, wavering, her protest barely strong enough to echo in the ancient hallway.

"Well, perhaps he's in denial. But Abel and I were originally one being after all. I know 02 better than anyone else. And despite what he might say, Abel really does belong here." His gaze touched her, then he was suddenly behind her, his hand circling her throat. "This is something Abel found, you know. No matter how much he might claim otherwise, this whole thing...everything is because of 02. It's rather fitting, in a way. The place where 02 tried to separate himself from me will become the place where we become one again, together as we were meant to be."

"What do you intend to do with this place?" Esther shuddered. She wasn't sure if it was the utter desertion and silence of the ship as they moved deeper, or the size of it, or even just the slightly alien curve to the walls, but it felt wrong. "What use could you possibly have for a ruin like this?" She knew she was only repeating herself, but her mind has stalled on the concept. How...this place is almost a world by itself. Why...why must it be used as a weapon?

"With the ARK, Abel and I can finally cleanse this world and start anew. Once the world is ashes, Abel will have nothing to worry about."

Esther swallowed. He was only saying what he'd said countless times before, but...the enormity of it was suddenly terrifying. She'd always believed Abel was up to any challenge, that any technology, weapons or ships the Order could produce, her people and friends could match. But the ARK's immensity terrified her, and the alieness of it reminded her that this wasn't Terran technology. This was power she'd never seen before. Desperate, she sought another tactic. "But if the world is destroyed, you'll be left with nothing. You'll die."

Cain laughed. Actually chuckled, the sound sending cold chills crawling down her spine. "I told you, my dear. A Crusnik is a being who is in need of nothing."

She remembered. "You also said...you were a being in need of everything."

"Once I have 02, we'll both be complete, and the ARK will take care of the rest." He released her, then stepped in front of her and continued his easy march forward. "Come, Esther."

It was eerie, following him. For the first time, she realized she couldn't hear his boots on the metal floors. Her own steps sent up thin, weak sounding echoes, but he only glided forward, silent as a breath of wind. She wanted to run away to scream, but she couldn't find the energy to do so. The memories of Abel, and of Seth, lying in pools of their own blood, dying, froze her will. The enormity of the ARK, and the knowledge it contained, swallowed her.

Without thought, her free hand rose to the locket at her throat. She wanted Abel to be with her, but... Her eyes slipped to the man in white, who led her through the corridors. It occurred to her, suddenly, how similar these were to the disused corridors in the Albion Underground. Tunnels like the one Abel had died in. Her hand clenched tighter on the locket. Abel...

Cain turned, and Esther found herself facing an elevator. A touch of his hand lit the panels, and then they were riding. It felt like upward movement, but she couldn't be sure. She thought they'd been on the topmost surface of the vessel. The confusion distracted her from her fear, and she felt herself begin to calm some. Having something she needed or wanted to figure out helped steady her nerves.

The compartment stopped moving, and the doors opened. Esther caught her breath in a mix of awe, terror, and wonder.

The far wall was a mass of screens. It looked like glass, though she couldn't be sure. Through the window, a massive globe of green and blue and white hung, shining like a gigantic star, or a Christmas ornament. She'd thought at times, during her travels, that the world was a big place, and yet...seeing it like this took her breath away. The area she thought the Empire covered was small enough in the view-screen that she could have put her hand over it and covered it completely. Even watching the world shrink from the ship that had carried her there hadn't quite prepared her for this.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Esther nearly gasped in shock at the cool, quiet voice. "This was always 02's favorite view. Even when we were on Mars."

Esther blinked. The way Abel had spoken of his past, she wouldn't have guessed that. "Father Nightroad...saw this?"

A slight, disinterested smile touched the pale face. "Abel always did like to watch the Earth spin beneath him. He used to say he wished everyone would disappear. That the Earth would be better off without them. And now, I suppose, Abel can finally have his wish."

Ice washed over her. "No...you can't. Don't you understand...he was just angry. He couldn't have...Father Nightroad would never mean something like that."

The smile widened, cruelty edging it. "But he did mean it, my dear. Here, on this very bridge, 02 helped me destroy the world." He tilted her head up, forcing her to meet his eyes, then turned her to point, cold fingers once more encircling her neck. "There, my dear. That land, to the left. That was once one of the most powerful nations the Terrans had. The place where 03 was born. We destroyed it in a week, 02 and I."

The words themselves were horrifying, but the tinge of amusement to his voice made active nausea twist through her gut. Esther felt sick, shaky. She recalled Abel's voice, the sheer horror and shame in it when he'd told her of his past, of the things he'd done. She remembered that he'd told her he'd destroyed an entire continent, but it hadn't really sunk in. But the continent Cain indicated was huge, large enough to make Albion look like a mere speck.

Abel's haunted, agonized words came back to her. "In one city alone...I took seven million lives." The enormity of it crashed into her. Shock washed over her. "No..."

"Ah...it looks as if 02 has landed." Cain tilted his head, straightening slightly. "Now Abel and I can finish what we started."

Those words jarred her out of her numbness. She looked at the land directly beneath her. Somewhere down there were people she loved. She could see the island of Albion, full of the people she'd sworn to protect. The Vatican, where her closest friends lived. Istvan, her home. Even with all the destruction it had suffered, all the terrible things that had happened there, it was still a place that held cherished memories. Memories of the woman who had raised her, of the friends and companions she'd had. Of the first time she'd met Abel.

Anger blazed up, dispelling the numbing fear within her. "Father Nightroad...he won't help you do this."

"Well, 02 might be a little reluctant. Especially with you here. Abel was always a bit shy about letting that woman know his true feelings as well. But once we've joined together, I'm sure Abel will be just fine." Cain shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Once 02's blood has joined mine, I'll have full control over the ARK. If Abel wants to simply sit back and relax, then that will be all right too."

Esther's fists clenched. "So...you're planning to take his life, or force him to watch as you destroy everything he's been protecting? Don't you care how he'll feel about that?"

Cain shrugged again. "Well, he might be upset with me, but then...he always does get over it. Besides...no matter how much he tries to deny it...this is Abel's wish. I'm only going to do what 02 asked me for."

She wasn't reaching him. Her fists clenched. Before she could even think about it, words slipped from her mouth. "I...I won't let you do this."

Cain turned, and Esther felt her heart start pounding as she realized the mistake she'd just made. Then he moved, and she found herself pushed back against the wall behind her, his hand pinning her with terrifying ease, as it had the night she'd been brought to him. The eyes were flaring eerily red and Esther felt a slash of terror. Then a cold smile touched his face. "It matters not. After all, like 02, you really don't have a choice, my dear. With Abel's power and mine merged, we'll be impossible to stop. Besides, once my brother is a part of me, then you'll truly understand how Abel feels."

"You...I'm not going to let you take his life, or him." Esther swallowed, but she met the blue eyes defiantly. "It doesn't matter what you say, I will never believe Father Nightroad will accept something like this. And I won't let you use him for such a thing. No matter what I have to do...I won't let you hurt him."

"Ah...but remember, my dear, Abel might be furious with me but...aren't you the one who can harm him the most?" Ice and malice lit his features. "You say you won't let me grant 02's wish...even though you're condemning him to worry. Tell me my dear, do you truly enjoy seeing Abel struggle so much?"

Esther faltered. "That...that isn't it at all. Father...I know he has difficult times. But that's why...that's why I promised to be by his side. To help him through those times."

"But once Abel is a part of me, he'll no longer have to suffer. Isn't that much more satisfactory? And if you accept my claim as well as 02's then you'll be able to continue to support him. Isn't that right, Esther?" His gaze was cool, amused.

"It..that isn't...maybe it would be easier...but..." She felt her will faltering under that twisted logic, and tried to anchor herself in the things she knew. "But...even so...that isn't what Father Nightroad wants. And even if...even if it might be easier...it's still...that's still wrong." That truth held her. "I can't let you do this, not to Father Nightroad, and not to this world."

"Well then, my dear. I was going to try and convince you to assist me, but I suppose I'll simply have to get you out of the way."

His hand tightened, and Esther felt an instant's fear that he was going to kill her. Then his hand shifted, yanking her forward slightly. He reached behind her, then touched a panel on the wall. Light flared, revealing a tall cylindrical chamber in one corner of the room. A doorway slid open on one side. With casual strength, Cain lifted her feet off the ground, then turned and shoved her through the doorway. Esther landed in a breathless heap against the metal surface; hard enough to make her gasp as the wind was knocked out of her. She raised herself to her feet just in time to see Cain touch the button, slamming the doorway to the chamber closed. He turned and studied her. "There. That should keep you out of the way while Abel and I have our talk."

Desperate, Esther slammed her hand against the cylinder wall. It looked like glass, but even in the weak lighting, she could see it was thick, like the glass she'd seen used in the windows for the Iron Maiden. She bit her lip, feeling a sick sense of fear. She knew how heavy the shipboard windows were. They were made to withstand even limited bullet fire. She looked around, but she couldn't see any controls, anything she could use as leverage. The door was surmounted by a smooth metal frame, and slid from the ceiling. There were no seams in it for her to grasp. She pressed her hand against the wall again, trying to fight back a sense of despair. "This thing...what is this?"

"That's one of 03's little experiments." Esther jumped. She hadn't realized the chamber walls would let sound through. Cain studied her. "It was a little project she was working on, for an alternative to ships. However, since 02 and I didn't really need them...I suppose she never finished it. But...it will keep you from interfering in Abel and I's discussion, my dear. From there, you can watch as Abel and I rejoin, and fulfill 02's wish."

"No...let me out of here." Esther bit her lip, hammering at the glass again. She wished she still had her knives, or her gun.

Cain smiled. "Esther...there's no need to be concerned. From there, you'll be able to watch everything. But I can't risk you interfering with 02. After all, I wouldn't want Abel to be upset again. And I can't simply destroy you as I did with 04. After all, I have every intention of renewing my claim on you when 02 and I have joined one another. So I can't simply remove you."

Esther shuddered. Cain shrugged, then turned away from her, staring out the glass of the giant windows. "Abel will be here soon, and then...he and I will come together, and renew the world. Then...Abel and I will finally have peace." His eyes came back to hers. "And you, my dear, will be a part of it."

Esther shuddered again, biting her lip to keep from bursting into tears, or screams. Fear twisted her gut, and her hands clenched into fists. Conflicting emotions tore at her heart. She wanted Abel to be there, she missed his strong, reliable presence, his calm. But...it was a trap. She knew what Cain wanted to do to him. Her mind kept replaying visions of Abel, in his Crusnik form. Visions of his last battle with Cain, and his terrible death. She looked at the glowing sphere beneath her, thinking of the fire that had destroyed two of her homes so far. Thinking of Abel's haunted eyes, torn with grief. She clenched the hand around the locket tighter. She didn't want him to fall for this trap, to place himself in danger, but she knew he was coming for her. Abel...please...be careful. Be safe.

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"Damn. That thing's huge." Leon stared out the window at the ARK, watching as the huge vessel grew in the view-screen. He cursed again, then turned to face the silver-haired man who stood at the console, his hands busy with the controls. "You're sure that's a ship, Four Eyes?"

"Yes." Abel didn't even bother to turn around. His voice was hard and flat. He hadn't spoken to any of them, except to issue commands or warnings.

Leon shivered. "How the hell are we gonna combat something like that?" He looked around at the rest of the group. They were all standing on the command bridge of the vessel, equipped in battle gear. At his question, all of them shifted.

Petros scowled. "As Knights of the Lord...we will find a way."

"Pray it doesn't come to that." Abel's cool voice spoke. His hands were still on the controls, but the blue eyes were fixed on the Ark, the expression in them a terrible mix of longing, fear, hatred and memory. "That thing..." He fell silent, and after a moment, he turned his gaze back to the instrumentation panel. Virgil studied him a moment, then moved to stand beside him.

"It's very remarkable." William stood, gazing out at the ship with an admiring expression on his face. "To build a ship of that size...it's really quite impressive. Even accounting for the advancements of Lost Technology..."

"We have legends of ships that size in the Empire." Astha moved to stand beside him. "But there hasn't been anything even close in centuries, by order of the Empress."

"Well, considering the legends surrounding this one, I suppose that's not much of a surprise." William sighed. "Still...the size, the ability to coat a ship in rock without losing it's integrity and function, the technology this must have required...I confess, as an AX agent, this thing makes me rather nervous. But as a scientist...well, the possibilities it represents are endless."

"Professor." Vaclav's hand touched his shoulder, the lean face silent. "I don't think now is the time for that."

William's brown eyes drifted to Abel, and contrite expression entered them. He nodded. "Of course. You're quite correct." He studied the straight, stiff back a moment, the tensed shoulders, then sighed and walked over to his companion. "Abel..."

"It's all right." Abel's voice was still a soft, low monotone, but when he looked up, there was a faint spark of warmth in the ice-blue eyes. He looked at the panel once more. "We should be on final approach within an hour. Is everyone ready?"

"Of course. Everything's been prepared." Vaclav moved up to stand beside his oldest friend. He laid a comforting hand on Abel's shoulder. "I hate to ask this Abel, but do you think he's arrived yet?"

"Positive." Tres spoke from the corner. "Based on computations, enemy forces have already arrived." Emotionless eyes focused on the screen. "Insufficient data to calculate whether or not Her Imperial Majesty has also arrived in combat zone."

Abel flinched and bit his lip, fear and pain flashing in his gaze. William's hand joined Vaclav's on Abel's other shoulder, lending silent encouragement. He opened his mouth, but Astha spoke first. "Priest. Get over here. Something's happening down there."

Abel's head snapped up. "Lord Walsh. Tres. Take over for me."

"Positive." The android stepped forward. "Commencing rewrite to piloting mode. Combat system, standby."

Virgil nodded. His hands coming up to rest lightly on the controls. "Shall I switch on the outboard monitor, Father?"

"No. I haven't had the time to repair it, and it hasn't been used in centuries. We didn't clear the visual sensors before we left." Abel turned and strode to the viewing portal "Astha."

"There." She pointed. "I was certain I saw something flash down there."

"Is it possible that it's the Order ship? Or Her Majesty's?" Baibars frowned.

"It is...but..." Abel's brow furrowed. "Lord Walsh...is there any response on the radar sensors?"

"None. However, I am reading very faint energy sources, coming from the vessel ahead." Walsh's brow furrowed. "The signature isn't consistent with any ship I recognize, however, given the age of the technology involved..."

"Priest." Astha interrupted the other man. Abel turned. She gestured. "There was a light. There." She gestured. "It only appeared for a moment..."

As if on cue, another flicker of red shimmered to life, then died out. Abel's eyes widened. "Lord Walsh, focus on the area directly below us."

"Of course." The Albion lord's hands tapped out a quick sequence. "There appears to be some kind of flare occurring. Energy is consistent with plasma bursts, however, I regret that I cannot give you any greater detail."

Abel's jaw clenched. "Cain..." He whirled back to the glass, just as another red flare, brighter than the previous ones, shimmered across the screen.

"What the hell is he doing?" Leon joined the rest of them at the view-port.

"Well, we do know it requires the Crusnik to activate the Ark." The Professor frowned thoughtfully.

"No." Abel's jaw was tight. "That only requires a bio-signature reading, like a palm-print scan." He whirled. "We need to get this ship on the ground, right now." He moved to the controls, studying the readings intently. His hand tightened. "Damn."

"What is it?" Astha moved too his side. "Priest?"

"That's not part of the activation. That's a battle down there." His fist clenched, and he bit his lip again, so hard it looked as if he'd bite right through it, before he spoke again. "Seth is down there."

Ion frowned. "Her Majesty is...an excellent combatant. I'm sure she will manage."

"No." Abel shuddered. "She's at a terrible disadvantage. She's never taken her activation to one hundred percent. And Seth...she'll try to avoid collateral damage." His eyes were haunted. "It makes her vulnerable, just as I was in Londinium."

"Can we land this ship any faster?" Astha was scowling.

"I'm afraid not." Virgil was studying the readings with his usual calm expression. "We're already on optimum trajectory, and going at the maximum safe speed for a landing"

"Well, how about going at an unsafe speed?" Leon growled the words out.

"We cannot afford to crash the ship. Not only will it hinder our ability to retreat, should we require it, but there would be severe damage to both vessels. We would risk injuring Her Majesty, as well as ourselves." Virgil shook his head.

"Positive. For best possible odds of survival, present course and speed must be maintained." Tres met Abel's eyes. "Father Nightroad, do you wish to resume piloting functions, or will you prepare for combat?"

Abel's fists were clenched, the blue eyes stormy with a faintly crimson shine. William placed a hand on his shoulder. "Abel...what do you need to do?"

Abel shuddered once. "I...I'm fine. Just get me to the Ark." His eyes went to the instrument panel once more, then he turned away and returned to the window, his entire body tensed.

William joined him, just in time to see another flare of red light. He saw Abel flinch, and spoke softly. "I'm aware of your concerns Abel, but...just remember, as long as the lights appear, it means she's fighting. You need to have hope."

"I know. But I..." Abel's jaw was so tight he seemed to have trouble speaking.

"Give me your glasses." William spoke softly

Abel's turned to stare at him, a slightly startled expression on his face. "Professor..."

A small, sardonic smile touched the other man's face. "Well, it's not as if you actually need them. Besides...with things in this state, we may very well disembark into a war zone. You may need to transform immediately. It's best if you're as ready as possible. I know you always take your glasses off so they won't get damaged." He held out a hand. "You might as well give them to me now. And if you want to go ahead and let your hair loose, I don't think anyone is going to stop you."

"No. That...isn't necessary." Abel swallowed. He stood for a moment, his gaze already turned back to the flashes of light below. Then he reached up, pulled the steel frames away from his face, and handed them to his companion.

William took them without a word, his face settling into grim lines. He looked at them for a moment, then stowed them in a pocket of his cassock.

"Father Nightroad. I'm reading atmospheric and sonic disturbances from the ship." Virgil spoke softly. "They appear to be rather chaotic and the frequency is not one I've seen registered. I fear I'm too unfamiliar with the technology of the Ark to guess...are these frequencies in any way connected to the procedures governing it's functions?"

Abel turned partially, his eyes going to the readout Virgil handed him. His hand tightened. "No. That signature...that's Seth's attack frequency. Tres...bring us in as fast as possible. Lord Walsh..."

"I will continue to assist Father Tres, and monitor the signals." Virgil nodded, then resumed his station at the panels.

Abel bit his lip, his eyes dark with a swirl of anguish and anger. Then his eyes closed, and a shudder ran through him, silent testimony of a fierce battle for control over his emotions and his other half. The others watched him with concern in their eyes. William and Astha both moved forward to stand on either side of him, offering their silent support. Vaclav and Ion watched from a short distance away, the younger noble's hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. Petros scowled, and shifted restlessly, Baibars mirroring his actions. Paula remained motionless, but the cold look in her eyes promised violence to come.

Abel's eyes opened again, fixed on the ship growing steadily larger in the view-screen, and on the bright crimson flashes. His fist tightened, and William, standing beside him, saw the outline of the cross on the back of his hand. He frowned. He glanced at Astha, who nodded slightly, confirming that she'd seen the same thing. However, neither of them spoke.

Suddenly, a huge flare erupted from the ground beneath them, followed only seconds later by an equally tremendous blast. The force of it was enough to send faint shock waves through their ship, even at the height they were at. Leon cursed. "What the hell was that?"

Abel turned. "Lord Walsh..." His voice was tense.

"Sensors registered an incredible spike of plasma emissions. There was also an extreme discharge of sonic waves. However..." His face creased with concern. "I'm no longer reading any sort of subsonic or supersonic emissions from the Ark. The interference is disappearing."

"What about the other?" Vaclav moved forward.

"Impossible to say. However...atmospheric disturbances consistent with the Enemy of the World's signature still register faintly."

Abel's jaw locked. He spun away from the view-port, heading across the cockpit before William even realized he'd moved. He was almost to the door when Leon caught him. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"I have to get down there!" Abel's voice was rough, a terrible mix of anguish and anger. "Leon...I have to help her!"

"And who's gonna help you, huh!" The dark-haired man didn't give an inch. "Even if you can survive just jumping out of the damn plane, the rest of us can't. You're gonna need back-up. And for that, you have to wait until we land."

"Leon..." Abel's voice was a low growl.

"Look if I thought there was just one guy down there, I'd let you go, even if it is the Contra Mundi. But we know he's probably got his team with him. You can't handle all that and protect one person, let alone two." Abel's jaw tightened, and Leon's grip locked tighter on his arms. "Damn it Four Eyes, you already know that. So don't go crazy on me now."

"Leon...I..." Abel's blue eyes were wild, The expression flaring between panic and rage. "I have to..." his hands came up, as if he were about to push the other AX agent away.

"I said, stay put." Leon released Abel, then punched him hard, knocking him backward to the floor. "This isn't the time. You can leave when we land." He spun around. "Yo, Gunslinger, get this ship on the ground now! Before Four Eyes here has a coronary or blows us all out of the sky."

"Positive." Both men at the console were already moving. "Initiating approach and landing sequence on secondary flight plan."

Virgil's hands were busy as well. "Brace yourselves. We are going to encounter some turbulence."

"Fine. Just get us to the ground." Leon moved, putting himself between Abel and the door again.

Abel lifted himself off the floor. His eyes were still wild, but there was at least a small measure of thought and sanity in them. He moved forward, until he was face to face with the other man. "Leon..."

"I am not gonna let you go jumping off on a suicide mission. Never mind the trouble it'll cause for us, how do you think Esther or that girl would feel if you got killed coming after them like that." Leon held his position.

"I'm going to the airlock. I...I promise I won't leave the ship but..." Abel bit his lip a moment. "Leon..."

"Actually, being in position isn't a bad idea. It's obvious we'll need to expect the worst when we arrive, so Abel's plan does have merit." William nodded. "Besides, if we all go, we can keep an eye on him, and I for one, would feel much safer about that than trying to restrain him here."

Petros moved forward. "Move. I need to equip myself, and my armor is in the entrance bay." Dark, intent eyes met Abel's. "Father Nightroad, you may accompany me. However..." He pointed one hand at the other man. "Do not do anything to jeopardize our mission!"

"I understand." Abel nodded.

"Well then, I'm coming as well." Astha smiled, a cold predatory smile. One hand tightened on the spear she kept in a back sheath. "I want a crack at whoever dared to assault the Empress." Baibars and Ion both remained silent, but the look in their eyes was a match for hers, and Ion's hand tightened on the hilt of his blade until the knuckles went white.

The ship shuddered violently. Virgil spoke from the console. "If you wish to begin preparations before landing, I recommend you go now. We pinpointed the landing site for the Order ship, and we should touch down in roughly ten minutes. No more than fifteen before we're ready to open the hatch." Blue eyes looked up, catching Abel's. "Please Father, prepare to disembark. Father Tres and I will join you as soon as the ship is secured."

Abel nodded, and turned to look at the dark-haired man who still stood before him. Leon heaved an irritated sigh, then gave him a sharp edged wolf's grin. "All right Four Eyes. Let's go raise a little hell." He stepped to one side, and Abel shot past him at a near run, not even appearing to notice the tremor that ran through the ship.

Leon met William's eyes. "I sure as hell hope we make it in time."

William nodded. "As do we all." He gestured. "Let's go."

Ten turbulent minutes later, the ship hit the ground with a thud. Abel, standing at the doors in front of the rest of them, tensed, visibly restraining himself from leaping forward and slamming his way through the hatch. The second the motion ceased, the doorway began to open. Abel waited until it was open far enough to admit his frame, then shoved himself through the doorway, heedless of the metal that nearly ripped the fastening from his cassock. Ion was right behind him. The others followed as quickly as they could get through the hatch and to the ground.

The Order ship was only a few yards away, but Abel ignored it. Instead, he dashed forward, blue eyes wide and searching desperately over the rough landscape. "Seth..."

"I'm sorry Father, but you're already far too late." The low, mocking voice jerked Abel's head up, eyes widening.

Isaac stood there, the Neumanns on one side, Helga, Gudiern and Dietrich on the other, and the shadowy forms of Auto-Jagers and Dolls behind. A cruel smile twisted one side of his mouth. He bowed, arrogance and mockery in the gesture. "Welcome to the ARK Father. I hope you all had a pleasant trip."

"Shut up." Astha shoved herself forward. "Where is the Empress? Did you take her captive?"

The cruel smile widened. "It's as I said before, you're already far too late. My lord has already defeated her. However, if you like, I suppose you're welcome to collect the body." He gestured, drawing their attention to a red-stained lump with black hair and an hint of green, crumpled to one side a few yards away.

Abel's eyes went wide and anguished. "Seth..." Then he dashed forward, running to the figure and falling to his knees. The three Methuselah followed him, while the AX members fanned out, forming a barrier between their comrades and the Order forces.

Astha, Ion and Baibars arrived at Abel's side to find him lifting his sister's body into his arms. "Seth..." The word that slipped from his lips was a broken whisper of sound, drenched in agony. His hands were trembling as he gathered the smaller figure into his embrace, pulling her closer to him.

Ion's eyes were wide and shocked, his jaw trembling. "Empress..." The sound was that of a lost child, seeking reassurance. Baibars simply stood, his face set like stone, and his eyes burning with pain and fury.

Astha stood a moment, then knelt. Under any other circumstances, she'd not have presumed to touch the Empress, but Abel was shaking with anguish, and she wanted to comfort him. She touched his shoulder. "Tovarish..." Her hand brushed across the Empress's shoulder, and her eyes widened.

Under her fingers, there was an erratic pulse. It was so faint, she almost thought it was her own, but she could feel it. She seized Abel's arm. "Priest. She's still alive."

Abel's eyes, closed in sorrow, flew open. He saw where her hand was, and trembling fingers brushed his sister's throat. Then he was laying her on the ground. Baibars, seeing the movement, ripped his coat off to provide a cushion. Abel settled the fragile form onto the fabric, then reached across to rip the gashes in his sister's clothing wider, attempting to assess the damage. Astha followed his lead, pulling free a length of fabric from her jacket to wipe away the blood that smeared the youthful face. Then she stopped, trying not to gag.

She'd seen carnage before, and caused a fair amount of it, but...it was different. Even though she knew the woman she tended was the Empress, she still looked like a child. And the wounds were horrific. Blood sponged from her face revealed several cuts, and an ugly, deep gash at the forehead and temple. Below that, there were cuts on her throat, though non-fatal, and several on her arms and legs. But her chest and abdomen were a red ruin, soaked in blood, as if someone had ripped her open by force and then pulverized half her organs. Astha swallowed back bile. Baibars looked almost sick, and she heard Ion dry-retch once, before fighting it back.

Abel's eyes widened, and he bit his lip hard enough to make the blood flow. One hand took his sister's gently, then his head bowed, pain etched across the features so deeply he seemed to age a thousand years in a moment.

Astha grabbed his shoulder. "Priest. Do something."

"I...Astha, I can't." His voice was trembling. "I...I don't know enough. I can't even begin to treat these injuries."

"The ship..."

Abel shook his head, eyes open and filled with grief. "The facilities aren't good enough for this. And even if they were...even the Professor and Vaclav don't know enough to perform this kind of operation. Without her Crusnik to help...we...I...there's nothing we can do." His hand holding the smaller one tightened.

Crusnik. The words sparked a memory in her mind, cascading into an idea. She looked down at the small, fragile body, then back up at the man who crouched across from her. "They saved you."

Abel looked up, tears staining his cheeks. "What?"

"They saved you. Caterina and Father Tres. In Londinium. You had wounds like this then, didn't you?" Astha met his eyes. "They used the Crusnik to save you."

Abel's eyes widened. "Astha, you can't be..."

She interrupted him, her gaze hard as it met his. "You know what they did, don't you, priest."

Abel shuddered. "I do. But Astha...you can't be serious."

"Of course I am. You can do it, can't you? Give her the Crusnik, so she can heal." Astha reached across to grab his arm. "Isn't it possible?"

"It...is...but..." Abel shuddered again, bit his lip, fear in his eyes. "But...what you're asking...Astha...I can't. Even if I can give her enough...I'd have to force an 100 percent fusion. And I...cannot do that."

"Why?" Anger moved through her and she shook him. "Why the hell not?"

Abel was trembling again. "Astha...if I do that...there's no guarantee...and I...I can't. There's a chance, she'll...she'll go mad. Like Cain. And if she does...I...I cannot...I can't face her. I can't risk that. Please...I simply...cannot risk creating another monster. And not...especially not...not her, of all people." Abel's hand clenched around his sister's.

"You idiot." Astha's fangs ground together. Without thinking, she pulled herself to her feet, then reached down and seized Abel's cassock, yanking him to his feet. "Do you even hear what you're saying?"

Abel stared at her. "Astha..."

She shook him hard, once. "Shut up and listen to me, Nightroad." She took a breath, and when she spoke, her voice was low, hard, curling with anger. "If she dies, then the Empire I've spent my entire life serving will be destroyed. Everything will fall apart. The Alliance will crumble. Everything we've tried to build will be destroyed. Everything you've sacrificed yourself for will burn to the ground." She held his gaze. "And with all that...it still shouldn't matter, Nightroad."

Abel blinked. "Astha..." he faltered to a stop, looking into her eyes. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper. "Why?"

"Because she's your sister, priest. Your family. You've always been so desperate to protect anyone close to you...you really intend to tell me you'll let your own sister die before you now, without trying to save her?" She tightened her grip. "You really expect me to believe a man who'd die rather than risk a friend, and live for the sake of this world, is just going to give up like that?"

Abel flinched at her words. "Astha...if I make a mistake...don't you understand? My brother...because I chose this for him...he's now..." he flinched again. "I..."

"What I understand is that because someone chose this for you, the world is a better place." The anger ran out of her, leaving desperation. She clenched her fists in his robes, her head bowing as she sought the words to make him understand. "Damn it. She's your sister too." A sardonic smile crossed her face briefly. "And I thought priests were supposed to have faith. But you...you're just going to give up? On her...and yourself?"

Abel stiffened, but remained silent. Astha held him for a long moment. She was just about to let go in disgust when Abel spoke. "I'm sorry."

Another wave of anger crashed through her. Astha jerked her head up, about to deliver a scathing retort. Then she saw Abel's eyes, and the words died unspoken.

Grief, pain, fear, and just the faintest shimmer of self-deprecating amusement roiled together in the icy blue depths. His hands were trembling, and he was white as a sheet, but he met her eyes. Then he looked away, looking down at the small figure between them. "I'm sorry. You're right. Even if...even if it means I must face her later, I...can't just let her die." Astha let him go, and he knelt again, to tenderly brush the raven black hair away from the battered face. "She is my sister, after all." The faintest of bitter smiles washed across his face, then vanished into an expression of determination.

Astha knelt across from him. "What do you need?"

"I...this will take time...and I...Astha, I'm going to have to..." he swallowed hard. "To give myself to them."

Vaclav shifted, making Astha suddenly aware of the AX members who were standing guard over them. He turned slightly. "Abel, is there something..."

"Yes." Abel swallowed again, resolve darkening the blue eyes. "Please...I need some time."

"Really, I don't know what you're planning, Father, but you can't think we'll simply leave you to it." Kampfer raised one eyebrow. "After all, I can't have you disrupting my lord's plans." He shrugged, then dropped the cigarillo he'd been holding and ground it into the dirt. "If you want to take the body, then be my guest. Unfortunately, I'm afraid my orders are to prevent anything else." He held out his hands, the inscribed pentagrams beginning to glow faintly.

"Why you..." Whatever Leon meant to say was cut off as Wordsworth stepped forward, placing himself squarely in front of the dark haired Methuselah. Leon stopped in surprise. "Professor?"

Kampfer regarded the man before him with an upraised brow for a moment, then a slow, cruel smile crossed his face. "Well, William, what a surprise. I'd heard that you'd taken up with the Vatican, but you never seemed to be the crusading type to me. I wonder why the sudden change of heart."

A cold smile, not unlike Abel's bitter one, crossed the other man's face, leaving icy determination in his eyes. "Well, I do generally prefer to remain in my lab on standby, but I'd heard you were going to be a part of this, Isaac. I thought we might pick up where we left off." He shook his head, a little self-deprecatingly. "Honestly, it's quite worrisome how much I've slipped. I should have guessed at your hand in the Silent Noise, especially given Abel's report. But you did such an excellent job of hiding your nature as a Methuselah, I simply failed to connect the pieces until someone mentioned your alias. Still...they do say science is a matter of correcting your mistakes." He met the other man's eyes, his hands tightening on his cane. "So...shall we?"

"Wait a second...Professor, you know this guy?" Leon was frowning.

"William and I are old school friends." Kampfer smiled. "We used to work together. Isn't that correct, Professor?"

The coldness in William's eyes deepened. "Well, as I said before, even the best of us make mistakes. This happens to be one I intend to rectify." His hand tightened on the head of his cane. He spoke again without turning around. "Abel...do whatever it is you need to do. The rest of us will handle this little problem."

Abel was staring at his companions, shock on his face. "Professor..."

"Do what he says, Four Eyes." Leon shot a quick grin over his shoulder, before turning back. "I'll tell you what I told Red. Whatever the hell you gotta do, do it so you have no regrets." He lifted one hand, chakram spinning on his finger. "And that being said...I say, let's get this party started."

"Positive." Tres appeared from one side, guns already in firing position. "Targets confirmed. Order of Rosenkreutz, battle strength, 150 members. Re-writing resident tactical from search mode to genocide mode. Mission commence." He opened fire.

One of the Sieglinde model Killing Dolls appeared out of nowhere, blocking and countering his attack. As if the movement were a signal, both sides came together in a hail of gunfire and shouts.

Astha itched to leap forward into the front lines, but she had something else to attend to. She tore her gaze away from the beginning battle, and grabbed Abel's shoulder. "Hey, idiot." Abel gasped, his gaze coming back to hers. "We have something more important to be doing right now." She met his shocked stare with her own. "They're trying to buy you time, so don't waste it. What do you need?"

Abel swallowed, looking down at his sister's mangled form. His hands brushed her face once more, an unreadable emotion passing across his face. Astha felt a subtle sense of pressure as energy began to gather around him. Then he spoke, his voice low and rough. "Miss Astha...do you have a knife?"

Astha nodded, and produced the eight inch dagger she had strapped to one leg. She preferred her spear, but she'd been in enough combat to know to have a back-up handy.

Abel took it carefully in one hand, then set it aside. He pulled off his pistol holster, then the outer layer of his cassock, his gaze solemn. Then his eyes closed.

She saw his lips move, but there was no sound. Then power exploded around them, encasing the three of them in a whirlwind of lightning and darkness. Abel doubled over, his fingernails lengthening into claws as black wings burst from his shoulders, shredding the back of his cassock. Then he jerked backward, wings extending and back arching as a scream of pure, primal power ripped from him.

Lightning flared around him, and darkness poured over his frame. Astha bit her lip to avoid voicing her shock. She'd seen him transform, but this was different. Abel's skin didn't simply darken, it changed, as if his body was being dunked in ink. Pure black, dark as a moonless light, spread from his core, turning even his silver hair the color of shadows. In the wake of it, blue lightning seemed to crawl across him, settling in jagged lines across his forehead and the backs of his hands. She even saw the lines glowing across his shoulders, where they showed through the torn robes.

He hunched forward again. She couldn't tell if it was pain or something else. His mouth had opened slightly, revealing the elongated fangs. His face was distorted, predatory. Then his eyes opened, feral and glowing with pure crimson light. Astha swallowed as the wild figure knelt across the body from her. She'd expected a rather violent change, but she couldn't see anything of Abel in the dark figure before her. Crimson eyes touched her, and she felt a flicker of fear inside, knowing that if he'd lost his mind and decided to consume her, there was nothing she could do about it.

Red eyes regarded her for a moment. Then he turned away, back to the blood-soaked figure on the ground. One dark, taloned hand reached out, and gently stroked the youthful face. "Seth..."

The voice was rough, deep, almost echoing, but it gave Astha hope. She started to reach out, then stopped. She had no idea what he was going to do, but she didn't want to interrupt him.

The dark hand stroked his sister's cheek for a moment, then his head bowed. He reached out and took the knife from where he'd laid it on the ground. He sat still a moment, and Astha heard a barely voiced. "Forgive me..." Then he twisted the knife in his hand and slammed it through his own wrist, completely severing the vein. Astha winced as the point emerged from the back of his arm. She started to move forward, to ask him what the hell he was doing, then stopped as the Crusnik held the wounded arm over the fallen girl.

Black liquid, his own blood, poured from the slash in his arm, flowing into the wound on Seth's chest. Astha watched as it displaced the red, flowing into the wound, then over it, saturating the fabric around the torn flesh. The dark substance seemed almost alive. It bubbled slightly, then settled into a pool. As the blood began to overflow the wound, it coated the Empress, like she was being dipped in tar.

When the wound was completely coated, Abel shifted. His arm moved, dripping blood across the terrible gashes at her throat and temple, saturating them as well. When they were soaked, he let his hand drift lower, to cover the cuts to her arms and legs. As he started to lean across, Astha recovered enough of her wits to gently lift Seth's arm, levering the prone figure slightly so that Abel had a better angle to work with. She was holding the forearm, trying to keep it level, when two red-black dots splashed across her hand. She looked up into his face once more.

Abel was weeping. The midnight-hued skin was streaked with tears of his own blood. It was shocking, to see signs of such emotion on such a violent countenance. Astha watched as the tears dripped down his jaw, to fall across his sister's body. Then she looked away, concentrating on the task of setting the Empress's arm down without disturbing the black blood that coated it.

Abel finished his task, then moved toward her head again. The uninjured hand reached for her shoulder, then stopped, hesitant. Astha frowned, then reached out and laid a careful hand on his shoulder. "What do you need?"

Red eyes flicked up to her. His mouth opened, then he turned away and spoke. "I need...please...lift her." The words were rough, halting, as if it was difficult for him to talk in that form, or as if he'd forgotten how.

Astha nodded, then shifted so she could lift the slight frame into a sitting position. It was astonishing, how little Seth weighed. She pulled her head up, so that she was lying at an angle, then stopped, afraid any further movement might disturb the blood pool Abel had created over and around her.

Abel leaned forward, his hand brushing his sister's cheek, his touch gentle despite the eight inch talons on his fingers. The angle of his arm changed, so that the blood welling out around the knife trickled down his forearm and into the palm of his hand, pooling there. Then he lifted his hand to his sister's lips, and gently, carefully, tipped the black liquid into her mouth and down her throat, making her drink his blood.

Crimson eyes looked up, met hers. Despite the wild, feral appearance, she could see concern. "I...she...needs...food." The words came out roughly.

At first she didn't understand. Then she looked into his eyes again, remembering that she dealt with the Crusnik. "You mean blood, don't you, priest?"

"Yes."

Astha nodded. "That isn't a problem." She reached across to put her hand on the dagger still protruding from his forearm. "Do you still need this?"

"No. I...it's done...they..."

"Fine. You don't have to explain." Astha took a grip on the hilt, slick with his blood, then pulled, yanking it from his arm. Abel growled, a low sound of surprised pain, but the gash in his arm closed so fast she barely even saw it happen. Astha felt something inside her relax. Even knowing what he was doing, and that she'd asked him for this, it had disturbed her more than she cared to admit to see the blade jutting from his wrist.

Astha studied the blade a moment, then pushed the sleeve of her jacket up, and made a quick slash in her own arm. Blood welled, shockingly red after the black of Abel's. The man across from her started. "Astha...what..."

"Idiot. You said she needs blood." Astha looked into his eyes, offering him her battle smile. "You think you're the only one who can do this?" She looked down. "Show me what to do."

The dark hand took hers, hesitantly. Talons brushed the back of her arm, but didn't cut into her skin. She felt his fingers tremble slightly as her blood touched them, then he lifted her arm to his sister's mouth, tilting it as he had his own, so that the blood ran down her throat.

The feel of her blood flowing from her arm was odd, and watching the slight figure in her arms swallow, knowing her own blood was being drunk, made her uneasy. Astha held herself still, forcefully ignoring the warrior's instincts that wanted to leap away, and the shocked voice in the back of her mind, that this could happen to a Methuselah. Instead, she kept her attention focused on the Empress, looking for signs of success, and on her partner, waiting for his next movement.

For several minutes, neither of them moved. Then, gently, taloned fingers closed around her arm, and he shifted, raising her forearm and applying slight pressure. Astha blinked. "Priest?"

"It's...all right." The rough hesitation in his voice startled her once more. Feral eyes regarded the slender form they both cradled, then came to her. "Thank...you."

"It was my honor." Astha swallowed, looked down into that pale face. She couldn't see any immediate changes, but...it was hard to tell with the black liquid that pooled around her, completely covering her wounds. "If she needs more...I'll gladly give her whatever she requires."

"No...this is...enough." His hand trembled faintly on her arm. The dark jaw tensed, and the whirlwind of power around them slowly died down, absorbed into the night-touched figure before her.

Ion and Baibars were both standing guard, and both turned as the wall of energy and nano-machines came down. Ion's eyes widened. "Empress..."

Baibars moved forward. "My lord."

Abel trembled again, conflict in his eyes, as if he were straining to control himself. "I...don't know. The fusion...takes time. If it...even occurs." His voice was strained. "She...needs..."

Baibars set his feet. "I will guard Her Majesty with my life, and surrender it to her, if it is required of me." He shifted, facing the conflict that roiled only yards away. "You need have no fear for her safety, Father Nightroad."

Abel nodded, the blood-red eyes shifting to the conflict. Something dark, predatory, moved within that gaze, so foreign to the man she knew that it took Astha a moment to recognize it. The Thirst. Her gaze went to the black liquid that covered and surrounded the Empress. For the first time, she realized how much he had given, and how much it had to have cost him.

Abel stood. Astha rose with him and grabbed his sleeve as he turned toward the battlefield. "Wait." She met his gaze, forcing back the small thread of fear she felt. "Can you fight?"

"I..."

"You lost a lot of blood. If you need it..." She trailed off.

"No. I will..." Something flared, a predatory madness that made her tense, despite his obvious efforts at control. "There is...other prey." He tensed again, and she felt the violence in him, the terrible conflict within the darkened body. "Astha...Esther...I must..."

"Go. We will tend to things here." Baibars looked resolute.

"Well, isn't this a charming sight." A slender form appeared out of the chaos, and then Dietrich was in front of them, a cold smile on his face. "I thought I might get out of the general conflict and find something a bit more interesting, but you know, this exceeds even my expectations."

"You..." Astha's hand went for her spear. Beside her, there was a low warning growl from Abel.

"Well, you've certainly changed a lot, haven't you, Father? Tell me, does Esther know about this side of you?" Dietrich's eyebrow went up. "Still, you must know...however entertaining you might find a fight with me, you can't hope to get anything more out of it than that. After all, I might be a member of the Order of Rosenkreutz, but I'm still a Terran you know. And even so...do you really think you can bypass my little strings so easily, even in that form?" He lifted a hand, revealing the threads between his fingers. "I had a special set made up for you."

Abel's whole frame tensed, a low rumble echoing from deep within his chest. His wigs shifted, from furled to half folded. His hand flexed. Astha didn't see quite how it happened, but there was suddenly a pitch-black, double-bladed scythe in his hand. He swung it across his body, bringing it up into a guard position.

Dietrich raised an eyebrow. "Impressive, but do you really think that's going to stop me? It didn't work so well the first time, after all."

Abel's frame tensed, but before he could step forward, there was a flicker of movement, and Ion was in his path, his sword up and ready. "There is no need for Father Nightroad to concern himself with such things. I shall deal with you."

"You?" Dietrich's voice was mocking. "You couldn't even help your own friend, now could you. Do you really think you're any more of a challenge now?"

Ion tensed, and there was ice in his voice. "It's true. I could not strike you while you wore Radu's body. However, now that I know your true face, I shall have no more hesitation. And I will avenge my tovarish." The young man's eyes turned to Abel, shining with determination. Astha recognized that look, she'd worn it once or twice. The look of a warrior who intended to do his duty, no matter what cost, and carry out his mission even if it was obviously impossible. "Leave this man to me, Father Nightroad. Your task is to rescue Esther, is it not?"

Abel shifted. "Est...her..." Protection and love warred with nightmare hunger and violence in his eyes.

Astha turned slightly, and met Baibars gaze. The Yenceri Captain already had his multi-bladed weapon unsheathed, standing in a deceptively relaxed battle stance. As their eyes locked, he nodded, shifting to place himself a little more in front of the Empress.

Astha turned, and touched the Crusnik's arm. "He's right priest. You're needed elsewhere." She met the blood-red eyes. "Go." Her hand tightened on her spear, her gaze slipping over the combatants on the field until she spotted one in particular, a female with long black hair, weaving a defense of ice between herself and Sister Paula. Her battle smile tightened her jaw. "I have an opponent as well."

"Oh, come now. You can't just think I'd let you just leave, now do you?" Dietrich shifted, his hand coming up to attack.

"I won't let you interfere!" Ion stepped forward, slipping into haste mode as he charged his opponent. Dietrich whirled in surprise as the young Methuselah slipped sideways in a feint, then leaped at him from a different direction. His hands came up, barely in time to stop the Count from ripping through his body. Ion's eyes were narrowed, his teeth clenched. "For the sake of my dear friend...I will defeat you."

"Well, you're welcome to try." Dietrich grinned coldly, and his hand snapped out. But Ion was ready for the maneuver, he was already dodging away.

Dietrich smiled coldly, his hand flicking faster, adjusting his strings. Ion made a sound of startled rage as thin strands wound around one boot, stopping him so forcefully, he barely missed tripping and crashing to the ground. His reaction was lightning quick, snapping his hand out to slash at the wires with his sword, but they simply flexed away.

Dietrich laughed. "You won't break them like that, you know. These carbon mono-filaments are far stronger than that. Although, you're welcome to try. I'll enjoy watching you break your sword on them while I tangle you up and cut you to ribbons." A cruel glee touched his face. "Maybe I should cut that vein in your neck again, and turn you loose to see which of your companions you'll attack this time. After all, you were willing to spare Esther, because of those childish emotions you have for her, but I doubt you feel as strongly about those AX agents out there." He lifted a hand.

Abel moved then. A low growl, crossed eerily with a scream, wrenched itself from his throat. There was barely time to register it, even with Methuselah senses, before lightning streaked across the black wings. It flared down his shoulders and arms, setting the blue markings ablaze with energy, before coalescing in his scythe. The terrible light burned through the sleeves of his robe, then ripped into the dark blade. As soon as lightning hit the head of the weapon, Abel snarled again and swung it directly at Dietrich. Lightning flared, then exploded from the blade, toward the young man. Dietrich ducked with a curse, but the strings that bound Ion disintegrated in the blast. The younger Methuselah wasted no time in moving.

Dietrich stopped a few yards away, his eyes stormy with frustrated anger and contempt. "Well, if that's the way you want to do things..." He lifted his hand. Almost instantly, thirty Auto-jagers appeared behind him. Dietrich gestured again, and the troop of corpse warriors attacked, most of them blurring into haste mode.

Rationality disappeared from Abel's eyes, vanishing into a battle madness, mixed with a raging hunger that sent shivers up Astha's spine. Another roar-scream ripped from his throat as he scythed into the Death Hunters. Lightning flared, and the dark blade spun out, both moving in a blur that Astha could barely discern. Within seconds, at least half the soldiers were dust, and Abel hadn't even been touched.

It was an impressive sight, but...Astha bit her lip. They were wasting time, and this wasn't their main objective. She took a breath, then launched herself forward, driving herself to Abel's side. Her spear took out one Death Hunter, wounded another, before she spun around, just in time to block Abel's weapon.

Crimson eyes stared at her over a black blade, filled with raging fury. Lightning sparked along both weapons. If she hadn't experienced his wrath before, along with a few accidental discharges when she'd learned to handle her own weapon, she would have flinched. If she hadn't know who this was, she would already have been backing up, fast. Instead, she held her ground, and met the red eyes. "Get going, and let me handle this."

Taloned hands flexed. A deep guttural voice, half inside her own mind, spoke. "As..tha..."

"Go. Your mission is to retrieve Esther from the Contra Mundi. Remember?" She gave him a feral, battle-hungry smile. "Get moving. I will handle this. Your war is with the Enemy of the World, not this pitiful trash."

Light flared in Abel's eyes, the light of madness that surpassed even the hunger of his other form. "Cain..."

"Go." A soldier attacked them. Astha spun, blasting it to dust in the space of a breath. She planted herself firmly between Abel and the remaining soldiers, as she had done in the Empire, then met Dietrich's smirk with her own. "Don't underestimate me, little brat. I am Astharoshe Asran, Duchess of Kiev!"

Lightning flared again, blasting just past her, into the Death Hunters. She spun, to tell Abel to move again, when he stepped past her, his wings flaring, eyes and body glowing with eerie red and blue light. "CAIN!" Then he stepped past her, moving in a blurring run, and crashed through the ranks of the undead soldiers. He didn't even slow down. Astha was relieved to note that his allies clearly heard him. Petros had been nearest, and he jumped out of the way, using his rockets on his armor to get him to safety as Abel blasted past him.

For a second, she lost sight of him as he plunged into the chaos of the battlefield. Then blue lightning ripped into the sky from behind a wall of the female Killing Dolls, and she heard another of those primal screams. Incandescent fire ripped over a section of the battlefield, and then Abel was airborne, his wings streaked with blue fire, and his eyes glowing so brightly she could see them from where she stood. Then the wings snapped, hurtling him toward the rocky outcropping a few meters away, on the far side of the conflict.

It was then that Astha noticed the dark opening there. The Crusnik didn't even slow down. She saw the flare of lightning, outlined by the deeper darkness, then by electric light, and then he vanished inside.

Astha grinned, then turned her attention back to the battlefield. Abel's violent movement had startled most of the combatants into stopping for a second or two. She caught Ion's gaze and nodded slightly, indicating she'd leave Dietrich to him and Baibars. Abel had cleared most of the Auto-jagers, and she could see dark corpses littering the battlefield. She knew Ion would fight well, and Baibars could guard his back. She spun back to the battlefield. The Professor was still facing Kampfer, trading blows of technology so arcane that she had no idea what they were doing. Petros was pitted against a massive figure she'd heard Abel identify as Gudiern, and she recognized the signs of a lycanthrope. Tres was in full battle against the other Killing Dolls, moving up and down the field. She couldn't see where Leon and Paula had gotten to, or Havel.

A glitter of blue-white caught her eye, bringing her attention to a purple-haired Methuselah woman with a glowing staff, surrounded by silver crystals. Astah smirked, then clenched her grip tighter on her spear, moving forward into a run. She plunged into the middle of the chaos, arriving just in time to see Helga launch an attack at Sister Paula, trading blows with a strange man that she remembered from their briefing, though she couldn't place a name to him. It didn't matter. She activated her staff with a word, sending a bolt of ionized energy to disintegrate the ice crystals.

Helga spun around, anger distorting her features. "You!"

"I could say the same." Astha stopped a short distance away. "Now then...I seem to recall I had a lesson in manners to give you." Her staff lit again with coruscating energy. Helga's mouth twisted and her own staff flared. Astha grinned again, then launched herself toward the forming ice wall. "Die!"

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Esther flinched when the sirens went off. Standing at the wall of windows and computer screens, Cain shifted. One hand tapped a button on the console, and one of the screens flickered, revealing the area in front of the doors they'd entered.

Outside, people were fighting. There was a riot of movement, punctuated by bursts she recognized as gunfire, flashes of light she couldn't even begin to identify, and the dull glitter of light on the metal of armor and weapons. The picture was distorted in places, from age and damage, so she couldn't identify faces. But she thought she saw the crimson and gray of the Inquisition. There were several black-clothed figures on the screen, some of whom seemed to have the white of the AX, some trimmed with the crimson of the Order of Rosenkreutz. Yet, despite the way her stomach tightened and her fists knotted at the sight, that wasn't what held her attention.

Beyond the melee, there was a tower of swirling black, edged in flickering blue fire. Esther put a hand to her mouth. She'd seen that before, when Abel had been resurrected. The first and only time she'd seen him fuse completely with his Crusnik, transforming into a being of darkness, touched with lightning.

Cain spoke then, confirming her thoughts. "Ah. It seems 02 has decided to use his full strength this time. Well, perhaps he's just lost his temper. Still...that will make this much easier."

"Why would you say that? You know he'll fight you." Esther bit her lip. Last time, it had ended in a stalemate, and both brothers had fallen to Earth. But Abel had been newly resurrected at the time, and he had told her he'd barely had any control over himself. "Surely you don't think he'll let you simply steal his life."

A small, cold smile creased his lips. "02 never does think at his best when he's in a fit of temper. Besides...last time I had to rely on Isaac's little tank to maintain my form." He lifted one hand. "This time...I still have the effects of your special blood, my dear." his head tilted to one side, thoughtfully. "I wonder if 02's fed at all since we took you. After all, Abel does have a complete body. I suppose it might make him stronger, if he's actually drunk this time. But...it matters not. I'll still achieve what I want."

Esther bit her lip again, knowing there was nothing she could say, and it was useless to try. Her gaze went to the cyclone still visible on screen. Abel...what are you doing? You really shouldn't use such power so recklessly before battle. And if...if you're too weak... She fought that thought back. She couldn't bear to contemplate what would happen if Abel was weakened.

A few minutes later, the whirling black tornado disappeared, shrinking down into the ground. Esther suppressed a gasp. There, where the storm had been, was a figure she knew at once. A figure black as midnight, with outstretched wings and electric blue markings. She watched him rise from the ground, a gold and black figure she thought might be the Duchess of Kiev beside her. Watched as a black-clad figure approached them, as they were joined by two more figures, one large and strong, clad in imperial colors, the other slender and small with what looked like golden hair. Then, without warning, the figures moved. Seconds later, Abel's scythe seemed to appear out of nowhere, and lightning built into his wings, then streaked across the battlefield. Esther shivered.

"Ah, same old Abel." There was a lilt of genuine amusement and affection in Cain's voice. "You know, that's what I really like about him He's so predictable. And that temper of his...he really hasn't learned to control it any better, has he?"

Esther's fists clenched, watching as another burst of lightning was fired. Then the dark figure slammed into the melee. Unlike the other combatants, it wasn't hard to identify him, even with the rough images. The pure black form and lightning dancing over his lean frame made him terribly easy to spot. Moments later, the Crusnik rose into the air, electricity dancing across his body. He hung in the air a moment, then appeared to shoot straight toward the screen, before he vanished out of it.

"Ah...Abel will be here soon. Well, that's good. I can finally finish activating the ARK. Abel's blood is all I need. And then, I'll be able to merge with 02, and everything will be settled." Cain's head tilted, as if he were listening to a sound Esther couldn't hear yet. "Well, it looks as if he'll be here in just a moment."

"CAIN!" The scream was distant, but instantly recognizable. Esther pressed a fist to her mouth, hearing the fury and power distorting the voice. The echo of it through the metal of the ship was far too much like the sound she'd heard when she'd surprised him in the Londinium Underground. The memory of that scream, and how it had been so swiftly followed by his death made her stomach churn, and knots form in her throat. Please...Abel...you mustn't come here. You can't face him again...

The door to the room bent, electricity crackling around the frame. Then it exploded inward with a force that made Esther jump in spite of herself.

Abel stood framed by the doorway. His upper cassock was in shreds, his body coal-black, save where the lines of glowing blue fire streaked his arms, face and torso. His eyes were pure crimson fire, the double-bladed scythe in his hand. Energy sparked around him, flickering balefully in his wings. He stood in the doorway a moment, then his eyes touched her. "Est...her." His gaze flicked back to the white-clad figure by the screens, and his grip tightened on his weapon. "What...have you...done?"

"02. Abel. So then, now everything we've worked for can finally be accomplished. All I need is for you to join me, and we can awaken the ARK." Cain held out his hand. "Come, Abel."

"No. Release...Esther. Cain..."

Cain shrugged lightly, his hand dropping to his side. "Well, I didn't really think you'd come. After all, you're always so unreasonable when you're angry, aren't you, Abel? Still, you should remember what happens to those who get between me and what I want."

Esther saw him shift, but Abel was reacting even as he moved. Cain stepped forward in a blur of movement, his hand targeting Abel's chest. Abel jerked away, fury twisting the already predatory features. He slipped sideways, then lightning flared across his scythe, to fire at Cain's form.

Cain brought his hand up, his eyes already shining crimson. A black spear deflected Abel's energy, before white wings swirled around him. Seconds later, the wings pulled back, revealing Cain in his fully Crusnik form. Pale skin, red eyes, white wings, his blond hair forming an erratic halo of golden fire around his face. Light to his brother's darkness. He smiled tightly, a hint of mockery in it. "Abel."

Abel stiffened, rage flaring in the crimson eyes. "Cain..."

Cain moved then, another blur of light. Abel shifted, catching a shot that was meant to break his chest on the scythe. Energy flared around them, red and blue sparks showering around black and gold forms. Then Cain shifted, the spear vanishing as he swiped one hand at Abel's chest. Abel jerked back with a snarl, and his brother's claws grazed his arm. Black blood welled against one of the lines of electric blue lightning burned into his form, then the wound closed. Cain smiled, holding up bloody fingers. "I always did like how predictable you were, Abel. With this, I can awaken the ARK to it's full potential. Once you and I have been joined, I'll be able to repair the damage you and 04 did here, and everything will be taken care of."

"No. That...will not...happen." Abel's voice rasped hard in his throat. "Cain..."

"It's already too late, Abel." Cain's hand touched a panel.

Lights flared. "Biological signatures, recognized. Confirmed presence of Abel Nightroad and Lilith Sahl. Secondary scientific, biological, and combat programming online. Beginning computations to analyze system readiness. Rebooting and rerouting power to forward command deck."

A roar of fury ripped itself from Abel's throat. He launched himself at Cain, lightning arcing between the two of them even before he was halfway across the deck.

As fast as he moved, Cain's shields still erected in time to stop the bolt from slamming home. His spear appeared in his hands just in time to prevent Abel's scythe blade from slicing into his neck. He blocked, that eerie smile still on his lips. Then the two brothers tangled together, energy sparking around them as they struggled, locked in combat. Cain's face was locked into that empty, insane smile of his. Abel was snarling, his jaw so tight Esther feared he'd break his fangs, or cut his own mouth open with them. Then Abel whipped the other blade, and the long barbed whip around, and the brothers jumped apart, nearly to opposite ends of the room. They stood apart a moment, surveying each other with crimson eyes, eyes filled with violence and madness. Then they crashed together once more, lunging at each other with unconstrained ferocity.

Esther watched the combatants, her hand pressed against her mouth. As much as she disliked Cain, feared him even, watching the two brothers fight each other was horrible, and made her feel faintly nauseous. She wanted to help Abel, but she knew well how powerless she was. Silent tears flowed down her cheeks, but she barely noticed them. Her eyes were locked on the battle in front of her.

Abel jerked away from Cain as a red bolt burst from the spear. Esther watched in horror as it clipped him, striking his shoulder. It wasn't a fatal shot, even if he'd been in human form, but it obviously damaged him. Abel snarled, jerking back. Esther saw him shift positions, moving so he was a more difficult target to hit. Black whirled around his shoulder, healing the torn and damaged flesh, returning the spilled blood to his body. Then he stepped forward, firing a triple-pronged lightning strike that arced toward his brother. Cain caught one bolt on his spear, another on a shield of air, but the third struck him square in the chest.

It should have been a fatal blow, but he only smiled a little. Red light and darkness flickered over his frame, and within moments, his chest was whole. Even as the healing process completed, Abel launched himself forward, striking at him again. But Cain caught the blow, and the two brothers tangled together again. Esther watched as they locked weapons, flares of red and blue energy arcing between them, inflicting small wounds that healed almost instantly. Esther swallowed, feeling uneasy. They two of them looked evenly matched, but she couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong. Wrong with Abel. His wounds seemed to heal a touch slower, and his reactions, while still far above hers, were slightly off, as if he were tired, or injured in some way she couldn't see.

She didn't see how it happened, but there was a sudden, violent explosion between them. Abel was flung backward into the panels next to the cylinder that imprisoned her. Black blood, glittering in the light, seeped from a wound in his forehead. Esther bit back a small gasp. Even with the force of the throw, that wound should have healed almost as fast as it was made. She wanted to say something, to cry out, but then the wound was gone. Abel jerked his scythe up, deflecting an energy bolt that would have done serious damage. With another muted snarl, he attacked, his own lightning flaring around him, and a secondary force she'd never seen him use before and couldn't identify. He blocked the next shot, not with lightning, but with a shield similar to the one Cain had used. Then he struck again, leaving Cain on the defensive.

Lightning and red bursts twisted around them, before the brothers locked into hand to hand combat. It wasn't marital arts as Esther had been taught by Mary, or the AX, but both men had clearly been taught something. Abel feinted, then whipped his scythe around, bringing the blade up for a high strike even as the whip on the other side snaked around to lash at his opponent. Esther flinched as Cain fielded the blow with one hand, redirecting it with the elongated talons as his dark spear blocked the downward strike. Then he drew back, firing another burst of energy.

Abel dodged with a snarl. The red fire slammed into the panel he'd knocked into only a few minutes earlier.

Lights flared to life on the panel, sparking with the influx of energy. "Primary system online. Activation of atomic quantum temporal and physical dislocation device now beginning. Fifteen percent of required power for long range use now provided."

Esther flinched as the cylinder began to glow. She didn't know what was happening, or what the words she'd heard meant. She remembered what Abel had said, about Seth being the head of the science department. And what Cain had said, about the tube being part of one of Seth's projects, one that hadn't been used much. Terror filled her. She bit her lip, her hand clenching in the locket. Against her own will, one word slipped from between her lips. "Abel..."

Abel stiffened, his head turning at the sound of that one whispered word, though she had no idea how he'd heard her. "Est...her..."

Everything seemed to happen in a sort of lightning quick slow motion, as it had on the battlefield only a few months prior. Abel turned to the cylinder she was imprisoned in, his attention momentarily distracted from his brother.

A cold smile touched Cain's face, and he lifted a hand. Energy, red lightning and compressed air both, flared in his palm, then launched at Abel's body, with a force that nearly doubled the fatal blow he'd thrown at Seth only an hour or so previous.

"Abel!" Esther screamed his name. "Abel!"

Abel spun, just barely catching the force of the blow on an energy shield of blue-white lightning. His fangs ground together as he struggled to hold the blazing fire, inches from his chest, the lightning coalescing around his wings, then pouring over his chest and shoulders and into the double-bladed weapon he had shielding him. The fabric that remained of the upper part of his cassock disintegrated under the combined force, save for the collar and crucifix at his neck. Then, with a snarl of effort and rage, he flung the weapon up and sideways, redirecting Cain's power and his own in one titanic blast of mingled fire.

The double bolt of plasma and electrical energy slammed into the wall panel. The deck actually shuddered under the force of it. Lights flared as the panel seemed to absorb the crackling bolt.

"Power overload. Redirecting all plasma based and high voltage energy to activated device. Use of device authorized. Standby for dislocation of subject."

The light in the cylinder glowed brighter, nearly blinding Esther. She staggered back with a gasp. Through the haze of light refracting and reflecting, she saw Abel's eyes widen, saw the dark clawed hand reaching for her. Saw his lips, forming a word she could recognize even with the distortion of his fangs. Her name. But there was an odd sort of ringing in her ears. Then the light brightened still further, and she was forced to close her eyes, though it didn't help much. The light burned through her eyelids. She heard something else, something that sounded like the mechanized voice that had spoken before. Abel's voice, screaming her name. Then the floor seemed to disappear from under her, and she fell into the light.

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Abel gasped as the light flared around the cylinder. He saw the blinking panels, still crackling with the aftermath of the energy he released, but he couldn't remember what they were, or what to do. Dimly, he heard the computer voice, but he couldn't think how to stop it.

Esther was looking at him, her eyes wide and terrified. He reached out. "Esther..."

"Dislocation sequence complete."

The light flared brighter, and Abel threw up his hands, the brightness painful to his enhanced vision. He saw Esther stagger back, also shielding her eyes. Then the light seemed to flow around her, distorting in a way that had nothing to do with the glass. Abel forgot the pain of his burning eyes, and lunged forward. "ESTHER!"

The light flared, driving him back, and when he opened his eyes, Esther was gone.

(AN) AUTHOR'S NOTES: It's not over yet folks with only eight chapters left more's to come, so is Esther truly dead or is she alive?. If so then where'd she go. Not gonna say until next update to which I hope will come sooner than real later. Chao for now everyone! ^^