AN: (*) As always many special thanks 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 Thirty-Three: Part three – Children of the Past
The next several days were tense. Abel seemed to be actively avoiding her. Cain was as politely distant as ever, and Lilith was normal as well, but Seth seemed to catch some of her older brother's wariness and anger. Esther couldn't tell if it was simply Abel's mood affecting all of them, or their schedule, or something else. She did the best she could, continuing to be friends with Seth, talking with Lilith, and looking up information. But she felt ill at ease approaching Abel, or the others. She wanted to speak to him, to apologize for what she'd accidentally put him through, but she also respected his privacy, and his apparent need to be left alone.
During the weeks that passed, Esther made more effort to spend time in the colony area, and with some of the personnel and staff in the Science Department and the command. Her excuse was that she was bored, and that she was considering applying to join the colonization if the scientists couldn't get her home. But her reading had taught her that the military command and the colonists were two very different groups. And she wanted to hear what they said, if anything, about the four Gene manipulations youths.
What she heard made her stomach tighten. Cain, they spoke of with respect, and in some cases, fondness. Like a prodigal son, or the top student of an academy. She heard the whispers of the likelihood of his ascension to leadership, and the acceptance of it.
Lilith was spoken of with general acceptance. The general consensus and view was of a young woman, a bit odd, who was shaping up to be a decent medic, and scientist. There was more affection, but still a sense of remoteness. People talked about her intelligence, and her faith, and competence, but she heard very few speak of the young woman as a friend. It was subtle, but as a monarch, she'd heard the difference between the way the courtiers who accepted her spoke, and the way Lord Walsh and Colonel Spencer spoke. Had Lilith been in the same position, she'd have said that almost everyone spoke of her in the former tone.
Seth, she heard spoken of in a half-joking, half-wary tone. She was bright, engaging, and young. But she was also being trained as a leader, at the age of six. She was working with scientists. Her precociousness made people as wary of her as anything else. Her evident fondness for Abel made them warier still.
Abel was almost always spoken of with dislike, or apathy at the very least. Most compared him to Cain, with the air of those dismissing a lost cause. Is temper made him disliked among the military personnel, and feared among the colonists. She heard more than one person hint, or say, that he should be removed from the project, that he wasn't worth the effort. There were a few who tried to be fair, but even they spoke more often of his temper and his problematical nature than they did anything else.
Several people asked her about them, when she revealed she was rooming with them. She did her best to defend Abel, but it was hard. She wanted so much to tell them that he was simply confused, to tell them what a strong, wonderful man the boy would grow up to be, but she couldn't. Because it might change the future. Because, for all her knowledge of the truth, she knew it wouldn't happen easily, and she couldn't tell them why she knew. She did try to remind them that teenagers were often volatile, and temperamental, and shrug it off as that, but she got the impression that most assumed that, as a Gene Manipulations, child, he should somehow have been better than that. Especially with his brother as an example. Esther bit her lip, and went to sleep, wishing she could do more.
She was reading in the rooms, relaxing one day, when the door burst open and Seth came in, tears streaking her face. Esther rose at the first click of the door, and caught the child as she came in, pulling her close to embrace her. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Abel..." The word emerged on a sob. "Abel...one of the scientists...he said something to Abel...and Abel got angry." There was another gulped in sob. "Abel...he should have ignored him, but he didn't. And now...he's in trouble."
"I see." Esther swallowed hard. She held the young girl a few minutes, letting her get the crying out of her system. "Is he in a lot of trouble?
Seth sniffled. "They took him away. I heard them say...Abel's going to...to isolation." Her small hands tightened in Esther's sleeves. "They're putting him in jail. But Abel didn't do anything wrong! He was just...trying to..." She sniffled again. "That scientist. He said Abel was bad for me, and making me fall behind. That Abel and I shouldn't be allowed to be together. That they would take me away from him." She sniffled again. "I don't understand. Why did Abel have to hit him? Why did he have to say such mean things to him?"
"I'm sure Abel just lost his temper. He shouldn't have hit the man, but I'm sure he only did it because he loves you."
"But...they're going to take him to the commanders. He might get sent away." Fresh tears streaked Seth's face. "They said I can't see him. I don't want Abel to get sent away!"
Esther felt a lump forming in her throat. She didn't want Abel to be sent away either. She swallowed hard, and turned her attention to the small child crying in her arms. There wasn't anything she could do about Abel now, and Seth needed her comfort.
She held the youngster for several minutes, comforting her. Finally, Seth's crying slowed. Esther stroked her head a few more minutes. "There. Is that better?"
Seth nodded. "I'm just...really worried about Abel. It's not fair. He shouldn't get sent away! I know he gets in a lot of trouble, but it's just cause he cares, and people say mean things about him."
"I know. Maybe we could go see how he's doing." Esther managed a small, half smile.
Seth gulped. "They said Abel's in isolation, and I can't see him."
Esther nodded. "All right. Well, why don't I go see him, and see what I can find out, and then I can come back and tell you how he's doing."
Seth sniffled one last time, then nodded and let go of Esther's shirt. Esther rose to her feet, smoothed the black hair once more, and spoke softly. "Try to get something to drink, and some rest. I'll do my best to be back soon."
Seth nodded again, and Esther turned and left the room. She thought, then turned and headed to the medical wing.
Lilith wasn't there. A question to one of the others revealed that the scientist Abel had struck had been brought in, and she'd left when she heard about Abel. Esther thanked the medic, then left. She had no idea where Lilith was, or Cain, and no idea if she could even access the isolation section of the brig. Finally, she went and sought the scientist who worked as Abel's observational scientist. Hopefully, he'd have some news.
She found Phillip in his office, working on something that looked like a report. He looked up when she knocked, then gestured to the other chair. "Miss Blanchett. What can I do for you?"
"Ummm...well, actually, I prefer Esther. Aside from that..." she moved to settle into the chair. "I was wondering if you could tell me anything about Abel's status. I heard from Seth, that there had been trouble."
Phillip sighed. "There has. Abel got into a fight with a member of the science department. In a way, it's even worse than the military personnel he's tangled with before. You expect a little bit of harshness with them. And the fact that he and the others are getting special treatment, that there's talk of promoting them all to top ranks as soon as they meet age requirements...it rankles a little. A bit of friction is natural. But with him, it's more than a bit. He's gotten into far too many scrapes. And a scientist...it's bad. Even more than military, he can't afford to upset them. If we lose the scientific communities support, this project won't make it. So it's a serious offense."
"I see. Do you know what his status is?" She swallowed.
"He's in the brig, in isolation, with limited visitors allowed. They military panel will meet tomorrow, to decide how to handle him." Phillip sighed again. "If he's lucky, then they'll leave him in the cell to cool his heels a while, then give him double shifts on maintenance and clean-up crews to work off his energy. And, of course, a heavy letter of censure on his record. In a worst case scenario, he could face an actual physical punishment, though it's unlikely. Or he could be removed from the project and sent back to the planet, back to the Gene Labs. At worst case, they'll probably put him in storage."
"Storage?" Esther swallowed hard. She didn't like the sound of that.
"Yes." Phillip must have seen the confused, sick look on her face. "Sorry. I know you're used to dealing with him as he is. But the truth is, no matter how human he is, Abel is also an experimental human being. If the military task force concludes that he can't be managed, they'll put him to sleep. With Cain doing so well, Abel can become an auxiliary. Or...if they feel it's necessary, simply cloned parts for a medical crisis for Cain."
Esther put a hand to her mouth, fighting back bile. "No. That...that's wrong."
Phillip shook his head. "It is. But it's out of my hands. Of course, I'll make very strong recommendations against it, if I'm called to speak, but...it's not my decision. I hope it doesn't come to that. I'll admit Abel is a very troubled young man, and possibly suffers from some sort of mental disorder. But that could be managed, if I got a chance to speak to him. If he were a little more forthcoming, I'd be able to work more with him, help him more. But he's so closed off and so surly, it's difficult."
Esther bit her lip and clasped her hands to stop their trembling. Then she looked into Phillip's eyes. "Ummm...if it's possible, I'd like to see him."
Phillip sighed. "It isn't a good idea. And I know your access pass won't get you in."
Esther swallowed. "I know. It's just...I don't think he's a bad person, and I know he can be good. I've heard him, soothing Seth at night, and he...that incident we were involved in, he really was only helping me. And he really did pull his strikes, until the last one. I think he would have pulled it too, but I threw him off balance. He didn't mean to hit that hard." She looked up again. "Please. I might be able to help him." Even if it meant telling him a part of the truth.
Phillip stared at her a minute, then nodded and pulled a key card out of his pocket. "Your access won't get you in. Mine will. I need it back, later, but I'll let you borrow it. Do your best." He handed her the card, then turned back to his desk.
Esther nodded. A quick consultation of her the map Lilith had given her gave her directions to the brig. She made the trip quickly, and slid her card into the key slot. The door slid open, revealing a short corridor that branched a few feet ahead. She moved forward, and was just about to turn the corner when she heard Lilith's voice. "Abel! That's a terrible thing to say. Those people down there are humans, just like you."
"They're not like us at all!" The words came, muffled by the walls, but so laced with anger that Esther had no trouble hearing it. "You, me, even Cain and Seth...we're all just experiments. Just expendable goods created for the Mars Colonization Project."
There was a moment of silence, and when he spoke again, the anger was laced with pain, so deep it cut Esther's heart like acid. "So...knowing that's who we are...what kind of a future do you think we could possibly have?" There was anguish in his tone; a sort of pained grief that made Esther put a hand over her mouth, fighting back tears.
"Abel..." Lilith sounded hurt, and at a loss for words.
There was silence for another moment, then another voice spoke. "I don't know." Cain's voice, calm and gentle. "But, you know. I'm happy to have been born at all, brother."
"Cain..." Abel's voice was weaker, almost inaudible. The anger was gone, only pain and confusion in it.
Cain spoke again. "You know, I really don't think it matters how we were born. I think, no matter where you're from, if your will is strong enough, you can make the future whatever you want."
Esther felt her breathe lock in her throat. Abel had told her of this moment. The moment that had turned his life around, had meshed his destiny with his brother's. She froze, feeling trapped.
Cain spoke again. "So then, Abel...what kind of future do you want?"
Esther heard the unspoken promise in that low, even tone. The offer the young man was making.
His brother heard it too. "I...I want... the future I want is ..."
Esther broke, spinning around and going back out the door. She couldn't stay. Her heart wanted desperately to know what kind of future Abel wanted, but...she couldn't listen. Her heart was pounding, her mind filled with images of her own time. She bolted, running through the corridors, her pulse ringing in her ears. She stumbled through the corridors, not caring who saw her, until finally; she staggered into one of the small observation ports. She stumbled forward, letting the door shut behind her, then sank onto the floor, her mind whirling and helpless tears staining her cheeks.
She wanted to comfort Abel. Wanted so much to tell him that his future would be a good one. To tell him of laughter, shared in the Vatican. Of His friendship with Ion, and Astha. Of all the people in the AX, who loved him. Of the relationship the two of them would share. She wanted to tell him about sunny days in the garden, and touring Rome and Londinium with his sister, laughing in the sunlight. Even, perhaps, of their love-making. She wanted to describe the Professor, with his kindness, and Tres, and Leon. And Caterina, who she knew would go to hell and back to protect her AX member.
She wanted to tell him of all the good memories, of how much he was loved, how his existence would bring forth peace, and how many good men and women had mourned when they thought he was dead. All the respect and friendship he would gain. But...it was only half the story. And the other half, she couldn't bear to tell him.
You will be betrayed and left to die. The person you most love in the world will be killed, infront of your eyes, by the person you most respect and depend on. In saving your brother's life, you will drive him insane, make him a monster.You will become the most powerful being in the world, and spend your life trying to hide it, in shame.
The words pounded in her thoughts. She tried to shove them away, but more came to take their place.
You will mourn fornine hundred years.You will suffer, and fight, and behurt. You will be tortured. You... you will die,at your brother's hand. Andberevived, tocontinue fighting, to continue being tormented.You will grieve, terribly, and suffer,because you care so much.
The thoughts made her head ache. And yet, if she changed nothing, they would all be true. She remembered his face, the first time he had told her the truth of his Crusnik form. His expression as he had died, and been resurrected. The terrible doubt he had borne, living with his powers. The pain he had suffered. His grief, for Noelle, and Lilith, and her.
Esther felt tears coursing down her cheeks. She wanted so much to tell him of the good things he would see, but all she could think of, in that moment, was the suffering he would endure. A part of her wanted to step forward, to tell him, to tell the commanders of the Red Mars Program. To put an end to it. All she had to do, to prevent his pain, was convince them to stop. All she had to do was tell them, of the Armageddon, of the wars, of the price that would be paid. And then...she could spare him.
But...if she did, Abel would almost certainly be erased from her time. Everything she knew would be erased. No Contra Mundi, no Abel, probably no AX. Certainly no Methuselah. All her friends, her people, people like Lord Walsh...she would destroy their lives, alter their destinies, wipe them out of existence. Even her own life might disappear.
She sat there, tears on her face, conflict in her heart. She didn't know what to do. What to say to the young man whose broken voice she had heard. She hadn't really guessed, until now, how truly terrible it had been for him. He'd told her, Cain had told her, but she hadn't really guessed at the depth of his pain, not until this moment. The knowledge that she would be, at least indirectly, responsible for making it worse was almost unbearable.
She wasn't sure how long she sat there. But she was still sitting on the floor when the door hissed open, and Lilith's soft voice spoke. "Esther?"
She didn't, couldn't answer. Lilith's voice only reminded her of the terrible truth, which the young woman standing behind her was going to die, and die horribly. The fact that she had another hundred hears and more before that fate was scant comfort.
She heard rustling fabric, then Lilith was beside her, a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Esther, what's wrong? Seth said you went to ask about Abel, and Phillip said you had his key...but...you weren't there. And when you never came back, Seth was concerned about you." There was a pause. "Esther, what happened?"
Esther swallowed back tears. "I went to see Abel. But, you were there, you and Cain..." Her voice caught in her throat.
"You heard Abel?" Lilith's voice sharpened with concern. Then she spoke softly. "I know, Abel can be a little harsh. But I don't think he meant what he said, about wanting to destroy the human race. He's just...very hurt."
"It wasn't that. When he spoke, of his future...he sounded like he was in so much pain...and I..."
"You know his future. What Abel faces." Comprehension entered Lilith's tone. "You know, already, what will happen to him."
Esther nodded. She knew she wasn't supposed to speak of the future, that they'd agreed to keep it secret. She settled for a half truth. "The Father...he was very kind, but, when I spoke with him...he was so lonely. And so much...he endured so much..." She swallowed, and stopped. "I...feel very selfish...wanting to protect my future. Knowing...what he will go through...I...is it wrong of me?" She looked up into the golden eyes.
Lilith said nothing, only reached out and embraced her, gently, as a friend, sister or mother might. Esther let her, letting the gentle embrace soothe her. After a moment, the young woman spoke. "I don't think it's selfish at all. But...was there nothing good, where you came from?"
"There was...there was a great deal of good." She smiled. "I have many good friends that I treasure, and I know the Father does as well. But still..." Her smile faltered.
Lilith smiled. "That's good. It gives me hope, you know. That someone like you, could weep for him, and speak of him with love...it says something very good about Abel's future. If even one person loves him, and speaks well of him, then its worth, I think." Her hand touched Esther's hair again. "I think that you are doing the right thing. I'm sorry it pains you, but still...I think the future should remain as it must be." She sat for a long moment. "The truth is, I think Abel loves this world, but he can't see it. He's been so hurt, he's trying to hate everything. But...you...you're proof, that Abel will one day realize the truth, and be able to let go." She took Esther's hand gently, and something about the grip made Esther look up, into those golden eyes again. "I know it's hard, but someday, I want Abel to be able to start over. You're the proof that he can. Please, I know it might be hard, in times like these, or when he's angry, but please, don't ever forget that."
The words felt right. She remembered Abel, standing beside her, with his arms wrapped around her. I believe we are all God's children. And, more importantly...
I am on your side. I did say it after all, didn't I? I am your friend. And later... I love you. His promise, to always come for her, and his request for her to wait, so that they could be together. She nodded. "I understand. I won't forget."
Lilith smiled. "That's excellent. So then, why don't we clean away those tears, and rejoin the others."
Esther nodded, and accepted the handkerchief Lilith gave her. Then the two of them turned and headed to the GeM housing area. They stopped to give Phillip his key back, then continued on.