The Tainted Moon 4 - (Bloodlight: Refrain, OC!MC)

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Syria, 1351

Abdul's life was a simple one. Be a good boy, never cause issues, always listen to your father.

The child was humble, rarely disrespectful, and always listening to his parents' guidance. Same for his sister Ada'mina. She always called him that, a good boy, and he loved the way she smiled and hugged him. So tight and caring...

And then that hug became a gilded cage as they were on the run from their own family- no, their own village.

Even the once kind elders were hurling slurs at them, demanding them to stop resisting and 'give up'. Why? What was all of this about?

Abdul knew little of what was going on, only that his sister ordered him to get some of his things as they had to leave.

Just the two of them, no one else. He could recall his sister saying that their mother was gone- maybe she had been found. But what about father?

Maybe it was a game? This was the thought Abdul had in mind, but his sister didn't look that playful.

No, everyone- they all looked so angry at them.

Did they do something wrong? Abdul tried to think of something - anything - that could justify that anger towards them. But he couldn't.

Even the worst thing he did, which was to unconsciously kick a puppy while walking into busy streets, hardly felt warranting this degree of hatred.

The playful hope vanished as he heard his sister crying as she carried him away. Ada'mina hardly wept for anything.

It had to be very serious for her to behave like this. And the sight of tears rolling down his brave sister's face made Abdul just as teary-eyed.

What was going on?

This question would haunt him through the entire chase, even as they ventured the unforgiving desert, still hunted down by those familiar faces - in charge of those, their father.

The man that once used to play with him and tell him he would become a fine warrior to protect his family and the village now wore a dark mask with horns, a strange inverted star-like symbol on his forehead and a bloodied sickle brandished as if he wished to cut them down with it.

Where was their mother? At this point, it was clear his sister hadn't meant it to be a game. Then... where was she 'gone' to? S-Surely she wasn't 'gone gone'. It couldn't be!

The fear kept on crawling on Abdul's back as he felt his mind scrambling over this maddening situation.

Then... it all came to a full halt. His sister yelped as she tripped on a sharp rock, causing them both to fall down onto the rough sand. The older child rushed to protect her sibling, putting her body between him and their father.

"R-Run, Avi!"

The order felt sudden, wrong, and... and he couldn't just leave. He had to protect her! He was- he was meant to be her little protector!

But where was his courage now? Right now, against their father, there was just oblivion and horror.

He was frozen in the agonious fright of being hurt- that sickle, that instinct that told him that they were all going to hurt him without hesitation burning away any desire to stand up to these- these monsters!

His sister- his beloved sister was going to die.

Ada'mina seemed aware of this too, but she didn't budge from her stance.

Even as their father ordered them back to the village, back to do their duties, back to 'get ready to serve a higher purpose by dying for their Gods'.

Their situation was bleak and bleaker, with villagers now encroaching on their position but... something happened.

A loud foreign cry of battle, then the villagers panicked and bolted the opposite direction. Only a few stood their grounds as Ada'mina rushed back to Abdul. She tried to shield him, but while both were spared by the onslaught, Abdul saw it unfold and he felt... happy.

The scary monsters that once had been his friends and family were soon getting slaughtered by those that had been called 'Demons'. Individuals that were told to slay the good men, to rape the good women, and to enslave the children. The tales of the night to keep them wary of the pale-skinned fellows from beyond the sea.

Yet, in that moment, those armored fellows that came rushing in with shiny swords and driven step felt not like demons - they were behaving like righteous heroes.

Once the battle was over, one of them approached them.

Ada'mina appeared tense, but both felt at ease before his caring smile.

He removed his mantle from his back, wrapping it over their bodies and pulling them in a bundle that he soon lifted off from the sand.

While both were tense, the two siblings felt the relaxed frame of the knight soothe them out of that fear they had endured.

Their intense unease slipping away and leaving them yearning against the warmth of the warrior's body.

They couldn't understand any words uttered, but the gestures and the kindness were enough for them as, for a time, they visited the wonderful city of Jerusalem, and then... they were taken to Italy to be adopted of a renown Executioner, Hezekiah Garnace, to become his students and successors.

It took them a while for both Abdul and Ada'mina to adapt to an entirely 'different world' but... they were given a chance in such a safe and happy environment where food and water was always available to them.

After all, Ser Percival de Castiglion had saved them from the shadows.

Northern Italia, 1358

I felt mocked. I truly did.

That being said, I only had much praise for the kindness of the Pope, but I have to say that the tailor responsible for my current outfit had definitely fumbled his job.

The bishop robes were too tight on me, my muscles bulging a little bit and, while not the worst tight outfit I wore, definitely getting up to the top ten.

Once I was done triple-checking my bags, I prepared to take my ride to France, hoping that I could get through the border as smoothly and quickly as possible.

I didn't expect for the Church to leave me one last 'gift'. Or two.

Sure, bishops were expected to have protection when going through a dangerous task or area, but I wasn't exactly a regular bishop. And the two that were picked were definitely chosen for other reasons than protecting me.

"Father Percival!"

The cheerful voice of young Abel Garnace got my full attention as I turned to see that it was indeed him.

I knew of him, not just for the fact he was the current holder of Tutta Ombra but... he was someone I had rescued during the crusades. Him and his older sister, Adam.

The boy was now... 15. Way younger than how Cole had been when he was given Tutta Ombra.

The tan-skinned youth smiled and appeared genuinely fine with himself and those around him. A major difference to Cole's more fake and more depression-driven self-deprecation and comedic attitude.

"Brother Abel," I greeted politely, but I could see he wasn't the only guard I was given. "And I see Sister Adam too."

I remember meeting Sister Adam quite recently as of two years ago while visiting Hezekiah. The man had stopped going out for crusades, but he was always to help and provide with tools to supply us crusaders with the means to get the job done.

So, I was surprised to find out such a bold child, so protective of her younger sibling, had decided to join the church as a Devil Hunter.

The name 'Rockfond Adam' was one shrouded in mystery due to how little action Sister Adam had seen in regards to Devil.

Sure, she had dealt with the average possessions, but her mighty Gibraltar wand had yet to taste the true thing that is combat.

"Bishop Percival, Abel. Do not be a bad boy."

"S-Sister," Abel whined in embarrasment.

"It is fine, Adam. I would be a liar if I said that I am accustomed to my new chores... especially since those are not exactly what I had expected the Pope to grant me."

"Speaking of which, I believe you have much to address over our tasks, Bishop Percival," Adam pointed out and I nodded.

The discussion fully unfolded as we took our ride, a sublime carriage that was sturdy and reinforced to handle demonic attacks.

We were hours into the trip, already in the northern regions of Italia, when Abel decided to change the topic.

Both Garnace siblings had been explained the general points of this mission and how their role was, at best, of support to me. Not because I didn't think highly of them, but because the threat was too dangerous for them to handle even at their fullest capacity.

"Fath- I mean, Bishop Percival-"

"Good boy," Adam praised, causing Abel to roll his eyes at his sister's unusual habits of calling him 'good boy' and 'bad boy' whenever he was doing something good or bad respectively.

"I wished to ask you about my ability, Tutta Ombra. Father Hezekiah told me that you... you knew my predecessor."

"I did," I admitted curtly as Cole was a mixed bag for me.

I had no clue about Cole's previous name, only that he was adopted and brought to France.

From my understanding, he was from the Eastern Lands, his blood family having had connections with the Romuvan religion before they were taken over by demons that exploited their pagan rituals.

I knew of Cole the 'Joker'. The man that always had a tale about the 'close calls' with the 'lovely barmaids' or the 'unmarried fresh virgins' of the local villages. He was a playful bastard, but he was a good man around his family - us. And then... then I had the account of Father Claudius.

Cole's family had not been overrun by demons. But the Church had used this loophole to get their hands on Cole because he was the best compatible option to Tutta Ombra.

After centuries of this being a horrible practice, the laws had changed to restrict the forceful application of those demonic powers due to their corrupting elements.

Hell, even Abel's current version was diluted compared to the original. I could see the seals- marks that Cole would have never been told to wear at all.

"Father Hezekiah said he died young. But when I asked him how, he said you would tell me in due time."

I felt a bitter grin being pushed back at that naive comment. Sister Adam noticed the issue, but she didn't say anything and merely watched us both with a degree of unease.

"Your predecessor was quite the bold fellow. Fairly sinful, very reckless and very broken as a man. If you dedicate your life to be careful around the powers of Tutta Ombra, you shall be fine, young Abel."

"...Truly?"

"You will be fine. This ability corrupts only if used fully and extensively. And I am sure you haven't."

The young man shook his head. "I-I didn't but..." He looked away. "I-I was curious on how you knew him, my... predecessor."

I leaned back for a moment, eyes closing and I decided to be honest.

"He was someone akin to a brother to me. He died while I left the convent where I lived for most of my life," I mumbled without hesitation. The silence that ensued was a bit awkward, but I allowed myself one last word before accepting a moment to rest my eyes. "I am not mad for your questioning, Abel. But understand that this isn't a topic I am much pleased to entertain."

After all, I could tell I had some guilt in letting them all fall the way they did.

AN

So, I found out about the Bloodlight Archive in E-Hentai. Oh man, I found out about Abel/Abdul (Lovely boy that is definitely going to be Lazarus' rival) and Adam/Ada'mine (who looks like this dutiful stoic girl, but she has odd quirks when she exercises...).

Still, next time delves into the Garnace Siblings and their curious trip with their newest responsibility. With the main POV being... Adam herself!