Time for chapter three. In this chapter we finally get to meet with Caterina, The Pope (whose name I don't remember at this moment so I'm just going to call him the Pope because that's what everyone else calls him anyway) and Francisco. And of course, Francisco is going to cause no ends of problems for our four heroes. In this story, Abel, Esther, Restu and Elise are the main characters and the main heroes, though of course Abel is the character this story focuses on. Sooner or later, things will start heating up between all three of the world powers (Rouge Nation, Vatican and New Human Empire) and Rosenkreuz.

Shout out to Flame800900, who unintentionally inspired this Chapter with the story "Emperor's Mask". I won't tell you how. See if you can guess. :P

Anyway, let's get on with the chapter, because I know that's what most of you came to read and half of you didn't even stop to read the Author's note at the top and bottom of the story.

Chapter Three: For Whom the Bell Tolls

Esther was nervous. She wasn't really feeling up to suddenly coming face to face with the Pope himself. Elise was once again clinging to Abel's neck and he was holding her in one arm again. She generally didn't like people. She had been stolen from her home long ago, and moved around from place to place. She didn't even know if her parents were still alive. But she wasn't feeling any better than Esther about meeting the Pope. Restu was nervous too. He and Abel were both Crusnik, and if they found out, what would they do? Abel would have it especially hard with them. He wasn't just any Crusnik, but one that could completely destroy the Vatican if he wanted to. He wasn't sure he was ready to come face to face with some of the most feared hunters of their kind. However, Abel was completely calm. He smiled at all of them reassuringly. He may not have known what was in store for them, but he knew that Caterina would provide them with some protection at least. And besides. He wasn't scared of the Vatican, even if they were half as powerful as they boasted. It was his calm attitude that kept them all there, instead of nervously retreating.

"Just inside of these doors..." Esther said nervously. "Is the Pope...I'm not really sure I want to meet him face to face..."

"Don't worry." Abel said gently. "The Pope has always been a kind person, throughout time. We don't have anything to fear from him. I'm only concerned with what Francisco will do. He doesn't like anything that isn't Human. But Caterina will give us protection. We'll be fine."

"Positive." Tres replied as he stepped out of the room in front of them again. "I have announced your presence and all of your information to his Holiness and Lady Caterina and Lord Francisco. Please step inside. They wish to speak with you."

Abel nodded and let Elise down. She took Esther's hand nervously. Then Abel smiled calmly and stepped forward into the room. The other three followed dutifully. The room was bare except for a single computer in the center of the room and three chairs. In one sat the Pope, a rather nervous looking young man who had short brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing white with gold, and he had a golden cross around his neck. On his left sat a tall young man. His hair was dark brown and cut very short. His eyes too were brown. The expression on his face told them all that he was not in a good mood and nothing they could say could change that. He wore red. On the Pope's right sat a beautiful young woman. She had long blonde hair that was curled into ringlets at the end. Her eyes were blue, and she smiled at Abel when she saw him. He returned the smile. She too wore red. The walls were lined with members of the AX unit, all of whom were watching them closely. Tres joined them against the wall, his face impassive. The four of them stopped and waited.

"Which one of you is the Crusnik?" Francisco said with a growl. "Not the younger one. The older one."

"That would be me." Abel said with a polite smile, raising his hand a little. Every eye turned to him, and there was silence. Francisco looked at Tres.

"And you would bring this beast in here?" he snarled. "In the presence of his Holiness? What about the safety of everyone here?"

"Now that's a little harsh." Abel said. "Beast? You don't even know me yet. I wouldn't harm anyone here. No one here has provoked me, and I doubt any of you but Tres could actually make me change into my Crusnik form. I assure you, everyone here is quite safe. There's no reason for me to hurt anyone here." Again, all eyes turned to him.

"Positive." Tres said. "No hostile forces are within these walls."

"Forgive them Abel." Caterina said. "You've heard the legends as well as everyone else. They fear the Crusnik because of what they once did. It's a little surprising to see one of those legends dropped suddenly into our midst."

"Caterina!" Francisco cried. "Are you telling me that you know him? From where?"

"Think my dear brother." Caterina said as if annoyed. "Ten years ago while you and his Holiness were away with our dear father, I was left alone at home with mother. While there, our home fell under attack by Vampires. It was because of this that you grew to hate Vampires. I wouldn't have survived if I hadn't have run into Abel. This Crusnik saved my life. It was because of him that I thought of creating the AX unit. If this Crusnik was really evil or did anything that the legends said they would do, then why didn't he kill a lone little girl with no defense that night? Why didn't he kill me like those Vampires? Those Vampires were part of the Order of Rosenkreuz. And Abel has been trying to hinder them in anyway possible since they were created before Armageddon!"

There was suddenly silence again. Everyone was looking at Caterina now, or turning slowly to look at Abel who was still smiling politely. Francisco didn't seem to know what to say, but he slowly turned to look at Abel. He had wondered for a long time how his sister had survived that night when everyone else had died. But now that he knew, he didn't feel any better. This thing scared him, but instead of showing fear, he showed anger. Abel wasn't surprised by this anyway. He had used to be the same way a long time ago. That only served to make Francisco more angry. He turned back to Caterina.

"You saw his Crusnik form?" he asked.

"Only part of it, but yes." she replied.

"Part of it?" Francisco asked.

"Yes only part. I've seen his 40% form and his 80% form." Caterina replied. "He doesn't use his 100% form."

"Why not?" Francisco asked, eying Abel carefully. Abel's face was suddenly very serious.

"Would you want to come face to face with half of the reason for Armageddon?" Abel asked. There was silence. Everyone watched him, dumbfounded. "When Crusnik go into their 100% forms, they enter 'Rage Mode'. These Crusnik must have a master to serve, someone who can tame them. But my twin brother Cain killed ours. Thus, when we both were forced to change into our 100% forms to fight each other, chaos erupted across the planet."

"Tell me what happened." The Pope suddenly said. His voice was small and timid, but his eyes were clear and full of both horror and curiosity. Abel watched him for a moment, debating whether or not he should refuse. But the he sighed.

"Very well." Abel said. "I suppose you of all people have a right to know what really happened."

He paused a moment, reaching back into the faded parts of his memory, trying to recall what he could. No one else spoke. They didn't want to interrupt such an important story.

"When we were first created, it was done illegally. Genetic experiments were very common at that time, and since there were no Vampires on earth yet, the only test subjects were Humans. We were created with a still new and untested technology of the time, one which the Rosenkreuz has only recently rediscovered: nanomachines."

He paused a moment, looking around the room. It was still silent. Not even Francisco dared speak now. Meeting his eyes, they were all surprised to see how much was there. There was anger, sorrow, pain and grief. And too if they listened...they could almost swear they could hear the sorrowful creaking of black wings.

"I and my twin brother Cain were the first two that this was tried on. Thus were are the Crusnik 01 and 02. We were nothing more than experiments. We weren't even expected to survive the transformation. But to everyone's surprise, we did indeed become Crusnik. And not just any, but the first two to be bonded to 100%. It was a painful operation as you might imagine. Growing wings large enough to fly with was just the first. Then we grew fangs and claws. Our blood could change into a weapon, and we could see in the dark. Then our bodies had to be changed so that we could generate our own powers."

"That's horrible..." Kate said from the wall, unable to help it. Abel glanced at her.

"Yes." He said. "It was. And as you can imagine, it was especially horrible for two children no older than 13." there was a collective gasp from around the room. "Perhaps that was why Cain became the way he was. I too was angry at people and the world, but I was a naturally kind and gentle person. Cain though was mischievous and liked getting into trouble. It was that distinction between the two of us that eventually sealed our fates. The idea of the Crusnik was based off of a myth of the old world. It was said that Crusnik were Angels sent from Heaven to people plagued by Vampires. That was why we were given wings. But they altered us to become Vampires that fed on the blood of Vampires."

"I thought you said there were no Vampires." Francisco said.

"I said there were none on Earth." Abel replied. "The first Vampires in our solar system were inhabiting colonies on the planet known as Mars. Now you know it as the red star. We had technology that let Humans travel into the stars above our heads. The problem was, Humans were trying to settle onto Mars too. That was where the first struggle between the two races began. The Vampires were up there. And eventually, they became such a problem, plagued by the Thirst that the military authorized our use in the army. That was their second mistake, by putting Cain in a position of power. Then I couldn't see the change in him. I couldn't see what he was becoming. But I don't think that at that point I could have stopped it."

He paused again, looking around the room thoughtfully. Now they could see the sorrow and pain in his eyes. There was confusion there too. He was just a child then, but he was saddled with so much responsibility. What was he supposed to do at that point?

"More of us were created, enough so that suddenly we were our own race." Abel continued. "Vampires respected us. Mostly, if they left the Humans alone then we left them alone. For a while, everything was peaceful. But peace never lasts long. The original four Crusnik, as you call us, were all given new names, fake identities, because we were created illegally. No one knew who we really were. To our real families, we were dead. As far as they knew we were all murdered. That was another problem. We weren't common knowledge to the public. They knew all of our names, and how we kept peace on Mars. But they didn't know what we were. And it was partially that which caused Armageddon."

"They hid something like that from everyone?" The Pope asked.

"They did." Abel replied. "Cain and I had the same Master. He was a good man and kind. I don't really know what Cain thought of him. He kept his face hidden behind a mask unless he talked to me. We might have been twins, but even then we were as different as light and dark. In secret, Cain began gathering up an army. This army of his is still alive today. It is known as the Order of Rosenkreuz. Then before he launched his attack, he killed our Master and then revealed to the whole world what we really were. People were scared and confused. Then nation began to attack nation. They didn't know who had created us, what we were really for. They didn't know if other countries had creatures like us. Armageddon had begun. It was then that Cain gave me the choice to join him or die. That was when I had first seen the change in him. I refused."

"Your own brother tried to kill you?" Esther asked.

"He did kill me." Abel replied with a smile.

"That's impossible!" Francisco cried. "If he killed you then how could you be here now?"

"Nanomachines." Abel replied. "To completely kill a Crusnik, you have to remove the nanomachines from their blood. No one had tried killing a Crusnik before. No one knew that little fact, luckily for me. In fact, no one knew until much later why the dead Crusnik kept reappearing. After about twenty years I returned, to find the world decimated. Cain and his Order of Rosenkreuz now ruled the world. The 04 Crusnik was dead, though she too could return. Her head was removed. It would take a long time, but she could return. She could actually be popping back up any day now. The 03 Crusnik was in hiding. Vampires had been stranded on Earth, and it was from these that the Vampires we know were created. I went and found the Crusnik 03, Seth, and she and I began to plan our counterattack. We would have to destroy Cain and scatter the Rosenkreuz. However, obviously, it's hard to kill a Crusnik that bonded 100%. We couldn't ensure there was no way he could return. There was no time. If we had waited any longer there would have been no one left on Earth, Human or Vampire. So we lured Cain up into space and then dropped him into the Earth's Atmosphere."

"Atmosphere?" Caterina asked, testing the unfamiliar word.

"Yes." Abel replied. "It's a natural defense system for the Earth. Anything that fell into it caught fire and burned up, that way the surface of the Earth wouldn't be harmed nearly as badly."

"Then, he should be dead shouldn't he, if he burned up?" The Pope asked nervously. Slowly, Abel turned to look at him.

"Oh no." Abel said. "He's not dead. I told you, it's extremely difficult to kill a Crusnik bonded up to 100%. He died to be sure, but he could return. With the Order of Rosenkreuz suddenly reappearing and going public, there's no doubt that Cain too is returning. Even if it's really slowly now and he hasn't reformed, he's coming back. Cain is the Contra Mundi. He is the Enemy of the World."

"Then after that." Caterina finished. "The Crusnik began to feel the Rage take them and killed one another and steal their nanomachines until finally only four were left. Those four then disappeared from the eyes of the public. Is that correct?"

"It is." Abel said with a nod. "We don't even know where the others could be."

"And you expect us to just sit here now knowing that your twin brother is once again on the loose and causing havoc?" Francisco cried.

"No." Abel said. "To defeat the Order of Rosenkreuz, we might just need the help of everyone in the world. But as for Cain, I doubt you have to worry about him. There's only one person he'll want to find once he returns. The only person that he could never squash. He'll come for me. And then, no matter what happens between the two of us. You'll know that he's back. The only person who could ever defeat Cain is me. And I intend to do that this time. Of that at least, you have my word."

"You expect me to trust you?" Francisco asked coldly.

"I didn't lie." Abel replied. "And I am the only person who could defeat Cain because I am the only other Crusnik that's bonded up to 100% left in the world. Humans and Vampires wouldn't stand a chance against him. And a battle between the two of us could still have no decisive winner. That is a risk you're going to have to take, because that is the only way. There was once a weapon that could destroy Crusnik, but if a Human or a Vampire used it, they would have to give their own lives to do it. That technology is lost forever, burned by it's creator. That would have been the only other way to do this, but now there is only one. I don't ask for your help. I don't even ask for your trust. I only ask that you won't hinder me when that time comes. Because it's coming quickly."

"I trust you Abel." Caterina said. "You know I do. And I know I can't help you much, but I will if I can."

"I think that we can trust you." The Pope said. All eyes turned to him in surprise. Suddenly, he didn't seem so timid. He seemed much more mature and much more proud. "If we can help you we can. I swear it in the name of the Father."

"Y-your Holiness!" Francisco gasped. But then he sighed and looked away. "Very well. The Inquisition will help you if you should ask for it."

"As will the AX unit." Caterina said.

"Thank you." Abel said, giving them all a sad smile. "It's strange. No matter how many lifetimes I live, Humans and Vampires alike still find ways to surprise me. But I suppose, that's just the way of all things that have life."

"Go then with my blessing." the Pope said with a smile. "And I wish you luck on your journey. Please rest now, and don't let your hearts be troubled. Father Tres, if you would show them where they'll be staying then."

"Positive." Tres responded, turning again and leading them off again down the hallway.

They followed Tres out of the room again, and instantly a buzz of conversation began behind them as everyone discussed the implications of what they had just heard and the strange pact that they had made with the Crusnik. Esther fell in step beside Abel, tugging Elise along behind her. Restu fell in step at his other side. It seemed to him that no matter how impossible the situation may seem at the time, Abel could always find a way to talk himself out of it. They were silent for a while, until even Abel couldn't hear the loud talking in the room behind them anymore.

"I am reminded suddenly of a Poem from the old world by John Donne." Abel said quietly. "It goes like this:

No man is an island, entire of itself.

Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.

Clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,

as well as if a promontory were

as well as if a manner of thy friends or of thine own were.

Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.

And there fore never send to know for whom the bell tolls.

It tolls for thee.

"What does that mean?" Esther asked.

"It means that every person in this world is connected." Abel replied quietly. "If one person dies, then we all die with them. Even more so if they die a hero's death. Thus, the bell tolls for thee. We are all connected. Only fools who wish for war say otherwise."

"That's why you want peace." Restu said. "From the Rosenkreuz Order as well as between the Empire and the Vatican. Isn't it?"

"Yes. It is." Abel replied. And then he fell silent and spoke no more.

I thought that that poem worked well with what Abel wanted in Trinity Blood, so I incorporated it into this story. In the next chapter, a lot of stuff happens that will significantly propel the story line forward. If you're bored with the pace of this story, don't worry. Starting at Chapter four that will change. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!