The Blood Of Three Kings

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“Hello child.” The voice sent shivers down Serenity’s spine. “You look lost.”

“Oh! I ..” Serenity looked up at the face of pope Absinthe him self. “I..” She knew his face. “You’re..the pope?”

“Yes I am child.” He smiled. He was am older man but not nearly as old as the past popes had been. “Now, Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I never thought..I would see you. In person.”

This was kind of like meeting a famous singer or royalty. Serenity looked over the man. He was taller and had a full head of greying hair. His eyes were dark brown. The robes her were a deep crimson red. These were not his dress robes but they were still very lavish.

“Oh come now child. I am just a man after all.” He chuckled. “What is your name?”

He too had a dream. He dreamed of Gabrielle. He told him that a young girl named Serenity would come looking for something inside the Vatican. He was told that he could help her. Again it was that whole right hand of God thing. You didn’t say no to him. This was one of a few reasons that he was out and without his security detailing.

“Serenity Demetrious your grace.”

“Serenity. That is a lovely name. Your name means peace and harmony.” This was the girl he was told about. Now he just had to find out what she was looking for. “You may call me Absinthe if you like. Your Grace is so formal don’t you think?”

He tried to relax the girl. She seemed highly nervous and looked as if she might run at any moment. Serenity smiled slightly. She shook her head at his suggestion. She could not call him by his first name.

“Walk with me child.” He motioned around. “We can talk. I have a feeling that you have come seeking something hmm?”

“I..” She blinked and looked up at him. Serenity’s eyes were a little wide. “I have sir. I had a dream and in it a man named Gabrielle told me that I would find someone inside that could help me.”

“You had a dream about the arch angel Gabrielle. He is God’s right hand and I am that person he spoke of. He too came to me and said someone would come seeking help.”

“Y..You really did?”

“Yes child. Now let us walk and talk. These halls can be drafty if you stand in place too long.”
Absinthe smiled kindly. She couldn’t help feeling that it was a false smile but it was the pope! Plus Gabrielle also appeared to him. She could trust him. “Now what is it you are seeking young one?”

“Actually I have a question first.” She looked up at him. If any one could answer this it was him. “What defines the boundaries of good and evil and right and wrong?”

“Ohh..” Absinthe pondered her query. “I suppose there is no real answer to that one child.”

“There isn’t?” Serenity paused her steps to turn and face him. “What is there?”

“The thing is young one, that good and evil are things that people define.” He shifted to look over the young girls face. “The only answer I could give is that people define the lines of good and evil. Right and wrong fall some where in that small grey area but again it is the person that ultimately decides. A murderer may see his or her acts as good. A thief may see that he steals his goods for his family so that justifies the act. The labels that Society has created often go misunderstood. For instance would you condemn a man, that has lost his job, for stealing bread, water and clothes for his family so they could survive?”

“I don’t guess I would” She looked up at him. “I couldn’t agree with the masses about thieving in that case.”

“Exactly. So there in is what I pointed out. It is you who ultimately decided.” He smiled. “ You see?”

“I think so.” Serenity nodded. “It can be like heaven and hell. One person’s heaven could be another’s hell. Just because I may not like the idea of fire doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t. So in essence, I guess what you’re saying is, that in the end, It boils down to the person. In the end they ultimately decide their actions.” She leaned back against the wall. “And just because a person might be associated with what we have been taught is bad by society, doesn’t necessarily mean they are right?”

“Yes.” Absinthe smiled. She was very intelligent. “Is that all?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Besides what we came here for.” Serenity looked up at him.

“We?” he was not aware that she brought friends. “They must not be with you.”

“No sir. They are waiting outside for me.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I want to tell you what I am looking for but I hesitate because I am not sure what you will think.” He was the pope and to come out and say I am looking for a magical staff to him was like speaking against his very religion.”I am nervous.”

“Do not fear judgement from me Serenity.” The pope smiled. “What is it that I can help you to find?”

“I..” She paused. “We are seeking a staff. It is called the staff of ages and everything so far has led us to here. The staff is here in the Vatican. I know it sounds weird and I hope you do not judge me as you said. It is magic you see. It is hard to explain why we need it but we do. It is also hard to explain the everything part. I just have to hope that you will believe me.” Serenity took a deep breath and finally looked up at him. He was smiling! “Please don’t be mad? I mean I don’t mean to offend you. I know magic seems like a fantasy but I..”

“Child it is okay. Did not Moses perform what would be considered magic when he parted the Red Sea?” Absinthe Interrupted. “I understand and I can help you. I know of this staff that you speak of.”

“You do?” She gasped. “I mean..I..” She grunted because she sounded like a babbling idiot. “Can you tell me?”

“I would like to meet your friends. You seem very fond of them and maybe, since you’re all seeking the staff together, I can tell you all together.” The pope smiled again. “Would that be alright?”

“Oh! Of course!” Serenity paused. “But I don’t think they want to come inside here. Different cultures you know?”

“That is fine. I can meet you outside. I have to go tell my security staff where I am going first after all.” He chuckled. “Alright?”

“Thank you sir. We will be by that big patch of trees outside.” She smiled and backed away from him. “Thank you so much!”

Serenity took off in a run. She didn’t even stop to think about running in the Vatican. She was to happy that someone could help them! He watched her running off and he chuckled.

“No.” He whispered. “Thank you child.”

With that he turned and headed off in the direction of his chambers. Serenity meanwhile, was running out to the small grove of trees. Silvan ran when he saw her. He scooped her up into his arms and held her against him.

“I was so worried about you.” He kissed her several times. “Never again. I don’t care what you say. I am not leaving you.”

“I love you too Silvan.” Serenity smiled. “I found the person that Gabrielle said would help us! He said he knew about the staff too and that he had a dream about Gabrielle.”

“Really?” Lucian looked up. “He is going to help us?”

“Yes! Plus he talked to me and answered a question for me.” She grinned and let Silvan still hug her. “You will never guess who it is either.”

“Who is it?” Kaire stood and brushed her hands over her bottom to wipe the dirt away. “And more importantly, can we believe him?”

“Oh I think we can.” Serenity nodded. “I think he is telling the truth about knowing.”

“So who is it?” Lucian said impatiently. “Well?”

“Gee, you don’t have to be so pushy.” Serenity sighed and pulled away from Silvan. “The person helping us is the pope himself!”

“The Pope?” Kaire blinked. “I thought you said you couldn’t just walk in and see him.”

“Well like I said, he had a dream too so he was looking for me!” Serenity nodded. “He said he would meet us out here. He had to go tell his security staff that he was leaving so they wouldn’t freak out on him.”

“The Pope huh?” Lucian thought about all the information given so far. “Interesting.”

Gabrielle went to the Pope as well? Silvan never really understood the significance of the Pope anyways. He simply thought of it as about time a religious leader did his job and helped. Kaire chewed her bottom lip thinking about all of this.

“You could at least try and act a little glad.” Serenity placed her hands on her hips. “He has said he knows and will help. He didn’t give is any confusing riddles to solve. He didn’t try and hide meanings in secret. I am glad that something seems to be working in our favor here.”

“I’ll decide if it is in our favor after words.” Lucian tuned to look at the Vatican doors once again. “I am glad however, that you made it out safely.”

“As am I love.” Silvan hugged her again.”Relax now. Lucian is just being his normal self.”

“A normal self that I happen to love.” Kaire smiled. “So don’t speak ill of him.”

“I was not insulting him my lady. He has just always come off Mysteriously secret. That has been his nature through out.”Silvan nodded. “So there was no offense intended. If there is any, I apologize”

“We can talk about that later.” Serenity pointed. “Here he comes.”

The pope Absinthe was walking away from the doors now and towards them. He had a smile on his lips and his hands were clasped neatly in front of him. Lucian tensed and backed up beside Kaire. His gaze never once left the approaching man. Silvan thought he was being his weird self again. Serenity knew deep down why he would be tense around this man but she hoped he could control him self.

“Isn’t much to look at is he.” Kaire stated. “Just an old man in red robes.” She smirked. “You know I hate to say it but think about this whole trip. The color red was in all those animals eyes when they attacked.” She chuckled.

“Will you hush. The Pope’s robes have always been red. He has white ones too but I do not think there is any connection with his robes and the color red. Now shh before he hears you talking about him. We don’t want to insult him.” Serenity barked the command at Kaire. “Okay?”

“What ever Mrs. Priss.” Kaire shrugged. “I just want to get all of this over with.”

“You may get your wish love.” Lucian shook his head. “We all may get that wish.”

“Lucian what are you talking about now.” Serenity looked at him. “Is there some secret you would like to tell us before he gets here?”

“No.” Lucian smirked. “Because he is here and we will all find out soon enough won’t we?” Lucian blended him self in with the shrubbery from a near by tree.

“Greetings my children.” Pope Absinthe stopped just in front of them. His eyes traveled over each one of them slowly. “I hear you are seeking a staff.”

“Yes sir.” Serenity nodded. “You will have to excuse their rudeness.”

“Oh, on the contrary.” He smiled and held his hand out. His Pope’s staff formed with in his grasp. “I should heed their concerns.”

“THAT’S THE STAFF!” kaire yelled. “He has it right there!” She was pointing most animatedly.

Lucian snarled and stepped out from the shrubbery. He pulled Kaire to him protectively. Serenity blinked. Silvan noticed Lucian’s apprehensive actions. That funny feeling that something was about to happen, crept up along his spine. Serenity’s own staff formed on it’s own in her hand.

“Huh?” She looked up. “You have it! Can..can we have the staff sir?”

“I think not child.” The Pope’s eyes turned crimson red and he glared at them all. “You would come and try and take the power of the church away by rejoining the worlds! Sheeple are too stupid to worship freely! That is why we forced religion on them so long ago. Do you remember the Moores? Do you remember the scotts? Do you remember the Pagans? I can not allow you to come in and take away what we have all fought to gain!”

Serenity stumbled back. Silvan drew his blade. Lucian snarled even louder. Kaire, she was pushed back behind Lucian.

“I also see that you have the alliance of the devil’s left hand, Beelzebub.” He pointed to Lucian. Lucian’s Earthly guise was vanquished as if it had just been a costume ripped from him. Before them all now was Beelzebub, the left hand of Lucifer. Kaire gasped , for this was the being that saved her in the woods. This was the ultimate evil her mother taught about all her life but she loved him. How could she let him be the love of her life?

“This just means I will have to take this battle else where.”

In the midst of the chaos Absinthe spoke. Silvan and Kaire were both taken a back at this new form of Lucian. Lucian snarled towards the pope, not paying attention to the others.

“What!?” Serenity panted. “Y..You’re the Pope! You can’t be the Scourge that Gabrielle mentioned!”

“Remember our little chat Serenity?” Absinthe smirked. “You’re Labeling how I should be off of society’s perceptions.” He said , as he grabbed for Serenity amongst all of the chaos he purposefully caused..

Serenity shrieked and was lifted into the air by a great red wind. This red eyed pope quickly followed and they shot up into the sky, high above the others. Silvan grabbed for her but he was too slow. Kaire gasped and looked to Lucian. Lucian couldn’t attack right now. All was not as it needed to be for this to happen.

“If you love me Lucian, er..Beelzebub, Help her!” She hit at his arm. “ you have wings! Go! Go!”

“ I am duty bound. I can not until you reach in your self and become who you really are.” Lucian snarled suggestively “My love.”

She repeatedly started to hit his arm. Silvan ran out into clearing and looked at the gathering red cloud where Serenity and Absinthe went. Lucian was backing away from Kaire. She was getting that same familiar glow as she became very upset at his answer. This time wings of black and white ripped from her back, causing blood to flow. She fell to her knees and screamed. Blackened marks started to form tribal like markings over her arms. They were similar in comparison to the demon who stood before her. She also now had smaller, more feminine fangs. Her finger nails were bloodied and talons were growing from them. She was in immense pain.

“Kaire!” Lucian panted. “Love I can’t” A pained scream of Serenity drove into all of their ears. He couldn’t leave Kaire! He was duty bound to guard her! That was his orders from his master. Those orders could only be changed by the true form of his masters daughter. “I..”

“Don’t worry about me! Go and help her!” Kaire commanded. “Now! Go!” A long, taloned finger pointed to the sky. “Hurry!”

“By your command my lady.”

Beelzebub said as he bowed his head to her. She was transformed into her real self. She was the daughter of Lucifer and this was the form that could command him. Flames of black surrounded him and he shot up into the sky like a fire ball.

“Serenity!” Silvan yelled to the sky. He could hear Serenity’s screams coming from the concealing cloud.”MY love!” He was crying. Silvan never cried before but he was now for he felt helpless. “Serenity!”

This battle had just taken an interesting turn for this little group of adventurers.


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A/N: SO! What ya think? (Please!)

as always enjoy and Please read and Review!

Starfyre