Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[Sweetp4u]

ooc: See the casting call thread if you'd like to join

https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=148823

post all ooc's in there.

IC

Aria:


Sitting in the darkened room, I could hear the faint steps of someone coming this way. Again I looked down at the ring on my finger and wondered at it? Who was I and where did I come from? Mongrel called me Arianna, I refered to myself as She. There was little else to go on.
No memories should have bothered me, made me ask question, but I did not bother with it. I was a hired mercenary for Mongrel, I accepted his word on this. My past was serving him as was my desired status, and my future would be serving him as well.
A light rap on the door and a young man poked his head in. "He wishes to speak with you in the Den."
Nodding I said nothing more. I knew my orders were coming tonight, it is why I had a small duffle bag packed with clothes and weapons. Another lost soul or someone who wronged Mongrel was going to die soon, by my hands. I looked down at the delicate pale fingers and wondered, "How many have I killed?"
Rising from the bed, I grabbed the bag and left the small room. The only sounds now where the muffled sounds of the young man's steps and my own clicking on the hard wood and muffling when I stepped onto the carpets.
A flash back of last week and Mongrel explaining what I was and why I was this way, to me. I had a hard time believing it at first but I knew he spoke the truth. I was vampire. How or why? Who really knew the answer to that? Mongrel promised me a cure, if I did as he asked, no questions about it, I could be cured and human again. So with that in mind I stepped into the den, set down my bag and awaited his orders.

 

[poohlive]

Willow dropped his stuff next to Arianna's, as a servant bowed low to grab and move them to the awaiting car outside.
Mongrel looked up from the book he was reading. He took off horn rimmed spectacles, which didn't help him, but rather gave off an almost distinguished and noble overtone.
He shut the book close, smiling as he looked upon his new arrival.
"My dear, I hope you are feeling well. I've got something special for you, with Willow here as well. Seems as if some dreadful man has taken a piece of my property..."
He opened the book, and right there, at the end, was a jagged piece of strip paper.
"Willow knows all about it, so you don't need to worry your pretty little head about that, but this man has caused me a lot of stress. Take care of him, would you please?"
He gave off a fake smile, which he had perfected for so many centuries, it was almost identical to the real thing. An uncanny resemblance.
"So far, all we know is that he's in Australia. But that little trinket right there will guide you to him. Just follow it, listen to it, and do the job you are so good at."
Willow sighed, looking at his new partner. Perhaps he would get to have some fun after all. He licked his lips in anticipated pleasure.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I didn't bother to sit, I wouldn't be staying long. Willow gave me a little look and went about his business, as did I.
I listened to him carefully, letting everything sink in.
"As you wish." I spoke, and bowed my head slightly. It was set in stone once he spoke. I had to kill this man, nothing else would be excusable.
"A picture of my target or a name?" I asked, eyes fixed over his shoulder on the window. If I was to find this stranger I needed something to go by, some information or location. Willow wasn't one for speaking to me, and I prefered it that way, but in this situation, with having to accompany Willow, I needed to know.

 

[poohlive]

"Lance," Mongrel's eyes flashed something for a moment. A long memory or hateful pride, perhaps even an arrogance that even someone who had lived as long as he could not bear to part with. He returned to reading the book, a few selected pages within it that seemed to suit him just fine.
The glasses back on his head, a useless but rather demuring trinket.
"You don't need a picture, Arianna. The ring, the one that burdens your finger will show you who he is. Don't you feel it, a small sort of tugging, that you try to dismiss, but can not? The closer you are to him, the harder the ring will tug at you. When you meet him you will know."
Wilow opened the door for her, "Our carriage awaits."
Mongrel waved his hand in the air, the way one might at a fly that had been particularly annoying. His nose firmly planted in that which had escaped him so long.
But no more...
No more.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Leaving as quietly as I entered I walked briskly through the manor and outside to the waiting car.
"Is everything ready and the Jet on stand by?" I was going to Austraila and I had NO idea where to look for this Lance character.
Opening the door and sliding inside, I wondered why Mongrel felt this ring would draw me to this Lance? It was true, I felt something weird while wearing the ring and often did things because of these feelings, but I doubted it was more than wishful thinking in my head. Mongrel's words though gave me pause, wondering why and how I got this ring?
Shaking myself out of staring at the damned thing yet again, I sat thinking over instead, how was I going go kill him? A sniper rifle and a long wait? Hand to hand? So many choices and plenty of time to figure it out.
"WILLOW!" I barked out, "Hurry it up!" Causing the driver to jump and glare at me in the mirror. Ignoring the half wit, I tapped a manicured nail on my jean covered thigh.

 

[nightray]

Ray

I look down at the city below me the lights of cars moving on the streets and the lights from building shining brilytly. I stand brooding over the book and where it could be. The fingers on my left hand idly twisting the ring on my right the odd warmth moving up my arm a stark contrast to the cold that in habits the rest of my body now.

My eye’s move to the two swords leaning agenst a wall one black seeming to absorb light and heat the other light giving of heat and light. I growl as rember the ship sinking all dead the pain of knowing them dead and the confusion of caring. I growl as I remember trying to hold the sword of truth in my left hand and the pain that came the heat unbearable. I clench my left hand in remembered agony. Then more confusion as my right hand could hold it with no pain only an increase of the warmth from the ring.

I crouch as I star at the swords something making me think guiding my thoughts trying to make me understand. The memory of finding the dark ice cave hye in a cloud writhed mountain the siring cold making the warmth of the ring retreat back to just the finger it rests on. The walk threw the pitch black no light watts so ever but yet being able to see every thing as clear as noon. The paintings on the walls of death and betrayal the frozen corpses of men who had made the journey before me seeking the power of the dark but none could with stand the cold.

The deeper in to the cave I went the colder it became leaving the corpses of the strongest behind none made it near the center where the cold darkness lays sleeping waiting. I stepped in to the large cowing ice cavern the sword of truth burning on my back clearing not liking this place. I ignored it and keep walking to the center of the room where a sword and sheath lay on black block of ice. My left hand moves to the hilt some how knowing not to touch it with my right. I picked up the sword feeling my self grow colder with in the only heat coming from the ring on my right hand and the sword searing my back.

I grimace as wards float threw my mined. “Light and dark good and evil. One can not be with out the other to define and shape it. Life can not be with out death as death can not be with out life.” I shake my head “No the book remember the book and your dotty to your master. Light and dark good and evil.” My hands clench until my nukils turn white with the effort.

I throw back my head “WHAT AM I TO DO.” I rore in to the endless night to the uncaring stars above. My eyes move back to the swords agene as if drone like steal to a magnet. I shift slightly “Why is my master not talking to me now why has he not told me wear the book is.” I growl as the thoughts and images of light and dark for ever fighting nether ever wining only fighting shaping the world and distorting it before shaping it agene.

I stand then and move to the swords picking them up the dark in my left hand the truth in the right. I let the sheaths slide off of them and turn to the center of the roof. I stand there looking up in to the sky watching as dark clouds move in consoling the ever watchful star thunder rolling and flashes of lightening striking across the dark sky. I look over the roof tops of this gait human city at the stachu in the bay the torch shining brightly.

I begin moving in the enchant forms of the sword as the rain begins to fall drenching me in seconds. I don’t stop moving in fluid movements the swords giving off alternating flashes of dark and light the dark absorbing the light the light pushing the dark away my mind moving faster and faster trying to fined the truth trying to fined the path that I must fallow.

 

[Firegirl976]

Caterina

I awake with a cold sweat on my brow, my nerves on fire, my body tingling. Slowly as I come out of the trance tears pouring down my face I drop my head to my hands....."Ray, Joseph, Lance"...I haven't dreamed of any of them in so long. I stand and walk to the washstand splashing water on my face and stare in the mirror as the ring once again catches my eye. I stare at it a moment feeling the weight and heat of it, feeling the power that runs through it and feeling the increase of power when my thoughts turn to Ray. The gold fits my hand like a second skin and the cat's eye band running through the ring gleams in the candle light of my room. I have scryed and read and done everything I can think of but I can find no record of such a ring ever existing and I cannot remember where in the name of the Goddess it came from. I turn my focus from the ring to myself. I smile slightly at the youthful face and athletic body, the firm breasts and waistlength braid runnign down my back. I turn slightly to get a better look and run a hand down my long legs before frowning slightly I turn back to my bed.....I had been too long on this planet, roaming, fighting, protecting, searching,......for what?? Love, a reason to continue existing after all these millenia?? Frustration and pain burn in me at the rememberance of what I had loved and lost in the family and friends I had finally accepted. All those years I had neevr accepted anyone but Ray, my blood brother. Then I met Joseph, I shook my head to clear the images of passion and the heat that flushed my body. Joseph was gone but Ray apparently was somehow reaching out to me, determined I lit incense around the room and sitting in the center of my floor next to my Alter I search within myself for the path...........the answers........and my brother...

 

[poohlive]

A knock, slow and deliberate continued on the motel door. Amidst the sea of covers and dreams Lance moved to try to hit the snooze button. His arm only flailed helpless against the bedside table, until he opened one sleepy eye to reveal no clock at all.
The door.
He groaned, getting to his feet. He let out a large yawn, as he walked over to the door, and opened it.
Both of them were shocked.
John couldn't help but see what had happened to Lance over the year. Wrinkles now coming over his skin, age marking that which vampirism had kept at bay for so long, now returning with a vengeance. His hair, once dark and shiny, now was white, and clung to his head.
Lance couldn't believe he saw the man right here in front of him. John. The man he had known so long ago in New Orleans. One he had lost touch with after they had moved to Europe. How did he know? No one should know he's here.
No one.
"What are you..."
John moved aside, enough room for him to follow.
"Listen, Lance, we don't have a lot of time here. They know where you are. I think we should move."
"They?"
John nodded.
For a moment Lance had no clue what John was talking about. He had just woken up, and the surprise of seeing someone come up out of the blue like this had really caught him off guard. Then he saw the look in John's eyes. A look of both fear and urgency.
Mongrel.
Shit.
"All right."
He didn't bother to grab anything. There wasn't much left in the single motel that belonged to him anyway. Just a few belabored fast food wrappers.
"How did they find me? How did you find me? How did you know about Mongrel?"
They stepped into a black limo, and it raced off into the mid-morning traffic.
"It's a long story, on all accounts. We've been watching Mongrel, and his associates for almost a year now. He found out, as close as we can tell, through a telephone call. We traced it, and I was lucky enough to be in the Phillipines. I got here before anyone else, thankfully."
Lance nodded, watching the streets that went by.
"How much do you know?"
John shook his head, "Surprisingly little. We know Mongrel wants you, bad. He's paying millions for any sort of information. This... ummm, little disguise of yours is pretty clever."
Lance touched his face, the smooth skin that now held hundred of tiny caverns and ravines. He had thought being a human wouldn't do this to him. He would just age normally, but it seemed as if death were a cancer, running as hard and as fast as it possibly could. Death wanted him.
"It's not a disguise. I found something to change me back, and this was the unfortunate side effect."
John gave a curious look, "A cure?"
"No, " Lance shook his head, "No."
"Do you want to.."
"Yes, but not here. Let's just ride somewhere. A nice quiet part of town."
"Lance, we should really leave the country. Go somewhere remote, Madagascar or maybe an island off the coast of...”
“No,” Lance said, “I’m supposed to meet someone here. I want to give him or her at least a few days.”
John didn’t quite understand, “Does this have anything to do with Ray?”
“Ray? He’s alive?”
John nodded, “A few of our people spotted him in New York. Vixen didn’t want to disturb him or anything, so we didn’t follow him. He might still be there...”
Lance didn’t understand, “People? What is it you do?”
“Vixen and I are trying to help a few vampires we can, but setting up some sort of locale in the United States. We have over a hundred employee’s worldwide, helping newborns
get started, finding out the bad neighborhoods, who’s on the prowl, and what is what in the vampire society. That is how we stumbled upon all of you.”
“Do you know where Mongrel is?”
“No. We know he’s in Europe somewhere, but nothing better than that.”
Lance gave a small sigh, “I’ll wait here, three days. On friday I need a ticket to New York. If Ray still is there, I need to get a hold of him.”
John nodded, making a note of it.
“Oh, hey, I forgot to tell you, congratulations.”
Lance gave him a curious look, “On?”
“Didn’t you hear? Erica’s multimillion dollar company was enherited by you. She left you as the sole beneficiary in her will. A few lawyers are trying like hell to get a hold of you,
not to mention just about every charity out there.”
Wonderful.
“Ok, this is good.”
The stopped at a little hotel at the edge of the city. John got out to pay for a room, and then helped Lance into it.
“All right, here’s a cell phone. If you have any trouble, just call me. Like I said, I have operatives everywhere. Someone should be able to help you.”
“Thanks John.”
John closed the door, motioning at Lance’s neck.
“Let’s get this over with.”
Lance leaned to the right, exposing his neck to John. A coppery taste exploded into his
mouth.
Death would have to wait just a little bit longer.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Stepping off the private jet, I eyed the setting sun with a grim smile. Hunting time would be coming soon, perhaps that would be the best time to question some undergorund connections Willow mentioned? Glancing around I couldn't spot Willow anywhere?
"Now where did he get off too?" Shaking my head and grumbling under my breath I walked to the waiting Taxi and climbed inside.
"Where's your partner?"
"Who cares, leave him."
"But orders..."
"LEAVE!" I barked at the guy, upset brewing inside me. Something was wrong, i could feel it but not place my finger on the troubles eating at the edges of my mind. It was making me cranky and irritable to say the least.
The driver tore out of there, heading towards Sidney.
"Lance.... Lance who? Where? And why am I going down into this miserable heat to track a no body!?" My mind was working over and over things. I needed to focus on the ring. According to Mongrel this ring would lead me to him. Yeah well could it light up a little "X" on his chest as well so I knew who was who? In a city this size, lord only knew how I would find him, but I would. I was good at my job... So they told me. I had yet to do anything since waking up all those months ago in a strange room and with a strange black spot in my mind.
"Driver, take me to a nicer area of town and drop me off."
"What about the Hotel?"
"Take my bags there, let them have my name..."
"Whats your name?" He interrupted me.
"Arianna..... Smith.." It sounded good for the moment, "Any way leave my name I'll check in when and if I need sleep."
He nodded saying nothing more and drove down the freeway towards the center of the city.
A name kept popping up in my head, Paladin Palace. A name of a Hotel? Motel? A manor house? Something. I would figure it out later, for now I would stop thinking about myself and get this over with.
"here is fine."
The driver pulled over and I jumped out. Glancing both ways I shut the door and went to the window. "Open the trunk, I need my weapon and wallet."
The driver swore a little and climbed out, opening the trunk while I searched through everything until I had what i needed.
"Thanks." I walked off not waiting for an answer. The first stop was a local pub that had been mentioned to me before I left. A known vampire establishment. But the closer I walked towards the interior of the city, the colder the ring became.
I paid no mind to it for awhile until the cold became painful and shot painful pulses through my hand.
"God that smarts!" I mumbled to myself, someone stopped and glanced at me but I ignored them easily enough. Turning back around,I began walking easterly until the ring began to warm a little.
"Well, well, well... A lucky little talismen.. Lead on Oh knowing cheap stupid ring!" I had to be losing my mind (again!) to be talking to a ring and believing in this shit! The only cheerful thought I had the whole time was ditching willow. That had been a nice little treat I could gloat on for awhile.

 

[TheCheshireCat]

Europe-middle ages, Fiera's story begins...

Brief Bio:
age- unknown, maybe 20's
body- hair color varies, eyes are green, small stature
female

Normally the darkest corner of a handy tavern is a comfortable place to be, I like to maintain a mysterious persona, but tonight is different. Through my troubled thoughts I can hear them...whispering. It's hard to ignore. I don't blame them. After what happened today I can't quiet my own troubled thoughts and I don't seek to silence theirs. Hardly noticing the wooden cup I'm turning round and round in my hands, the scene replays through my thoughts again.

"Hey!" I yell, running towards a balding man of medium height.
Bemused he turns to confront me, obviously wondering what such a little half-pint could want to do with him.
"What is it runt?"
"I think you're about to lose something" I reply, looking up with wide innocent eyes, and a firm grip on my sword.
"Oh, and do you plan to take it from me? Begone! You are wasting my time."
"You are about to lose your head and it is more than you deserve for violating my sister!" as I draw my sword
The momentary look of confusion on his face before he began to defend himself was understood only by me. I have no sister, it just makes the details of assassination so much easier to handle. Open dueling is still acceptable and means I don't have to deal with the body when I am done with it. My clients pay dearly for subversive murders, I hate cleaning up after myself.
I played the part of inept but vengeful family member well until the killing blow. It isn't easy but can be contrived to appear a lucky strike. As I swung, the blade of my sword burned with a light that momentarily blinded me and I followed through on instinct...when I looked down the head and corpse were smoking from the wounds, as though burned, and that strange ring was hot on my hand. Stunned I stumbled away, only to end up in this tavern, with no answers, 4 hours later.
What is happening to me? Yanking the ring off I set it before me on the table, trying to ignore the sinkingly nauseous feeling. I examine it, noting the play of light across the silver, obsidian diamond shapes marching around the middle of the band. Soon my head starts to buzz and at last I can't take it any longer and jam it back on my finger. Damn thing is just THERE yesterday morning and like it or not I can't part with it. My sword is reputed to be forged from Hell's fire but I didn't really believe it until today.
Somehow- maybe the ring is telling me, but no that's crazy- I know I won't find my answers here...it's time to move on. Couldn't stay anyway after the fiasco this afternoon. A new haircolor can't disguise this sword.
Hopefully answers await me on the road.

 

[poohlive]

Even before he broke through the small motel door, he knew Lance wasn't there. The three operatives under him searched the room high and low, but didn't find a trace of the page.
The owner seemed pretty pissed off. Yesterday, apparently the guy had just left. The only thing inside there was a fucking mess of food wrappers.
Willow got back into the limo, along with his associates.
"I don't get it. How did he know?"
"Maybe he's being cautious..."
"Maybe he has help."
Willow checked the monitor. Seeing Aria had made her way eat of town. Ever since her transformation, Mongrel had put a little device on her to keep track of the Vixen. Now, she made her way east, opposite of the bar she was told to go to.
She must be on the trail.
He called up to the driver, "Follow her. She might lead us to him."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Walking for hours, always steadily east. Cutting through buildings, empty lots, roads, heading east. The ring was growing warmer with each step, but it wasn't exactly pointing the way neither.
Stopping at a pub, I got myself something to drink and sat down in the far corner. Back to everyone, I could still feel eyes on me, knowing eyes. Around here somewhere was another vampire, I could smell her or him. Not liking this one bit, I paid for my drink and finished it off.
"Thanks."
The bartender nodded and I handed him the glass. Walking back outside it was now fully dark. Holding to my small case with one hand, I held up the other with the ring on it. It glowed a soft green hue around the edges, making my skin look a little funny, but other than that, it didn't tell me anything. I leaned against the building wall, watching people as they strolled by.
Each passing set off no alarms what so ever. A business man, a taxi driver. A whore and some teenagers. On and on people passed, but the ring gave no indication to whom I was tracking and if he might be walking by me right now.
This was a fools errand! It had to be, this was pathetic! How was I to track down some guy I didn't even know???? Just start killing people? Mongrel was always an idiot, it was showing with this stupid assignment.
Pushing off from the wall I began walking again, heading south east now and nearing the outskirts of the city. I had been walking for so long, I didn't really pay much attention where I was. I was a little surprised I was this far from Sidney, and my hotel room.
"Figures..." The more I walked the more I did not like this assignment. Alone, facing who knew what.... No idea where he was or who he was.. Why I was killing him.. Was it normal for an assasin to question all these things? Something didn't feel right, but there wasn't much I could do about it. Mongrel would kill me if I disobeyed. I seen him do it once before, I did not want to be the next!
The ring was heating up now and shining brighter... "This is corney. This ring is corney as well!" Why did I feel like I was in some stupid science fiction nightmare story? This was just too insane.. Glancing around all I could see was a pub, cheap motel and a gas station. Watching the gas station, I knew it couldn't be there, it was closed. The motel and pub were the best bets, but which one?
"Screw it.." I walked across the street, avoiding a few cars and made it safely to the sidewalk across the way. I would check out the pub first, no maybe the motel? Shit! I didn't know which was the best bet?
Sighing, I leaned against a power pole and watched both. Maybe something interesting would happen when he walked outside? Perhaps some big bubble above his head that will tell me his thoughts? I laughed a little, shaking my head as I did. This was corney.. very corney. And boring.. I felt like bitching at someone about all of it, but said nothing. Wait him out, he's got to be in one of those places.. Beyond here is nothing but fields and grass lands.. Maybe an occasional kangaroo.. but doubtful he was out there somewhere.
Right?
I was questioning myself, but not answering, I was safe with my sanity. Again I felt eyes on me, my eyes began scanning the area, looking at people and vehicles. Someone was watching me.. Pushing off from the pole i walked to the cheesy motel and started walking by door ways, waiting to see if anything happened with the ring or not.

 

[poohlive]

Willow waited, seeing her move across the way into a small motel on the ouskirts of town. He gave a menacing look, as if this didn't suit him very well at all.
"He knows," Willow said through gritted teeth, "Someone told him."
"Sir, no one..."
"He knows."
They all got out, heading to the Manager's office. There, he pulled out a gun, holding it to the head of some aging man, who had been reading out-dated penthouse.
"Mind if we take a look at the register?"
The man didn't move much, and Willow motioned for the lackey's to get moving. They went around the desk, looking at the people who signed in.
"There we are, two days ago. Johnny Smith. That would be the one, 105."
They ran, following Aria until they reached door with gold cased numbers on it. One of the group broke it down, while the other two ran inside.
Willow waited out there with the others.
"You certainly did rush off, didn't you?"
The two men came out, shaking their heads.
"No, nothing. He must have just left though. Like an hour or so ago. The mirror in the bathroom is still fogged up."
Willow nodded, so he was close.
"Well, close it back up. We'll have a perimeter set up, watch to see if he comes back. Don't worry sweety, the kill will be all yours, but he does have something we want, so make sure I get in a few questions first."
Which brought up a good point, as his stomach growled.
"Oh, you mind joining me for a bite to eat? Perhaps a little snack before the job at hand? I'm sure we could... occupy ourselves."
His hungry eyes ran up and down her body.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Enter: Christian

Beneath New York City

Which way? I glanced around, listening more than looking.
Nearby, Leona was moving up next to me, walking on her toes, holding her pistol in one hand. I caught her by the arm, pointing to the weapon, then pointed to my ear then upward at the street above. She frowned, but nodded and slipped the weapon back into its holster, then pulled out the small hand axe she'd taken to carrying. Effective, yet concealable.
I drew my samurai sword from beneath the black cloak I was wearing, holding it up in the defensive and peered ahead. The red safety lights that lined the sewers below left much in the field of view, but not everything, and those things we could see weren't necessarily clear. We could see plenty well enough to move on, though.
I picked up the sound of his feet, striking the damp blocks of the sewer floor ahead.
The two of us moved in tandem, side by side, both carefully, not wanting to make any more noise than was necessary.
I guessed he was between us and the other two, Locke and Kayla--my Kayla--who'd entered the sewers from the other side. The vampire had found us in the streets above, the six of us not suspecting. He'd fired three times, one bullet striking the asphalt, causing no harm, and the other two finding their target. Kavak, who'd hit the ground a second later, bleeding from his upper left arm and stomach, to the right. He would probably be lucky enough to survive the attack, as I'd seen many come back to full health after such injuries, but he was injured back enough to infuriate us. Mikael had grabbed our injured friend and made for Isabelle's lair. The rest of us, well, we followed him down here.
He was sandwiched, and he was ours, I was sure, but something made me wonder if this wasn't our smartest course of action. Entering the sewers wasn't the wisest move, especially for an opponent who'd managed to gain such a perch on us to begin with.
I shook the idea, hearing three sets of footsteps ahead suddenly instead of only one.
A heavy thud as what must have been the vampire's firearm striking the blocks.
We ran, catching up to the fight in only seconds. By then, Locke, his massive form towering over the vampire, who was about my height, his hands holding the creature by the shirt, his feet off the ground. The vampire was bleeding already, but not badly injured.
"Who are you?" Locked growled.
The vampire smiled, his fangs appearing a pale yellow in the bright red light.
"A friend of an enemy," he replied.
We were being attacked already, three vampires closing in from either side, weapons drawn. Movements were quick, as battles between vampires tended to be, and weapons slashed through the air, swords striking swords and axes cutting through flesh. One moment, I was near Leona, then I was near Locke, then I was surrounded by the enemy, swinging at whichever was closest. My heart raced, pumping adrenaline, as the thrill of battle raged through me.
This was what we did, what we felt we were made for.
The enemy was landing blows on us all, but not many deep ones, and though outnumbers, we managed to use their numbers against them, moving between them, causing them to second guess their attacks for fear of hitting one another. Trapped between them, we lashed out like cornered tigers, slashing at skin, and growling, fangs exposed as we landing our blows.
Then the enemy was retreating from one side the one we'd hunted down and three others moving quickly the way they'd come. I lashed out at the one closest, then moved out of their reach as they went, wanting to ensure my own were alright before venturing after them. I didn't turn my back on them, concerned they might be carrying firearms.
A moment later, I felt my back thump up against flesh, a familiar dainty frame. I stopped, not even glancing back, and said, "Hey, Sweetness."
She panted, tired from fighting, but I knew she was smiling. She got a rush from these things, as did I, most of the time. "You see them running?" She asked. "We got 'em running scared."
"Christian," Locke shouted, but as I turned toward his voice, it was already too late. "To your right!"
The sound thundered, and pain streaked up my right side, digging in beneath the skin, in some places much deeper than other. The force alone threw me to the ground; I hit hard on my left side, the world swimming. I was regaining my focus at a fair pace, but I would lose it again, I was certain. Adrenaline was kicking in, giving me the temporary boost of energy and awareness I would need to defend myself should another attack come.
I pushed upward from the ground with both arms, finding my right one almost useless. As I glanced back, hearing the sound of the shotgun as the vampire shifted the stock, reloading the chamber and preparing to fire again. At this range, the buckshot would kill me, and as I found my way onto my knees, I realized I had no time to react.
Locke, did, however, and as the vampire, his scarred face decorated with a rigid sneer, took aim, the larger vampire, his long blonde hair hanging in his face in stringy locks, was moving quickly in on his left side, axe raised, eyed locked on the creature's head.
A moment, later, as I slumped toward the ground again, the adrenaline already wearing off, the shotgun struck the ground with a heavy thud, landing several feet away from me and followed to the ground by the creature's head, rotating end over end until it met the cement and rolled across the sewer floor.
I looked back, Locke's image standing over me, saying my name, though I couldn't hear him, then, for a moment, everything went black...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"You, my dear Willow.. are a BAFOON! GAWD!" Storming past him and his old cronies, I made my way to the pub. Grumbling under my breath and stopping short of entering. Turning around I poked him in the chest and glared, "What if he was in another room!? Did you stop to think about that? Moron! If you scared him off I am going to personally see to it you take his place!" I poked again and marched inside the pub, completely ignoring the bouncer and waitress I went storming past.
Sitting down I kept a glare fixed on Willow as he came inside.
"Order something to eat, I will be back.. I have to have something more.... warming. And stop looking at my like that before I remove your eyes as well as your balls.." I growled at him in a menacing manner. I meant it, and he best learn it real quick!
Walking out the back of the pub, I moved back towards the motel. Surely there would be someone in there worth visiting? Going to the desk I asked one scared man for some information on a single man.
"Y-You aren't.. with those men are you? I've called the cops ya know!" He backed away from me a little. Pasting on my best smile I assured him i wasn't with them.
"No, Sir.. please? I am only looking for my father. He said he had to work tonight.. and Ma sent me to his work and well.. he wasn't there.." I played the wounded but upset daughter rather easily..
"I just need to know if a single gentleman registered tonight for a single? I promise I won't be any trouble, I just want to see if he is here or not.. ma is very upset and I promised... pleeeeease?" I pouted at him, and yet he was still edgy.
Fucking willow! I am going to castrate him!
"A.. a gentleman came in. but he .. he was much younger than your father could possibly be... He wanted a room.."
"It could have been his assistant! Please?! What room?" I pulled out a hundred and scooted it towards him.
"Please?" I spoke softly.
"Yeah, ok.. room two-oh-one.. around back of the building.. No car or anything I could see.." He snatched the bill from my hand and backed away.
"You wouldn't be lying to me would you? I mean thats alot of money and Ma was promised I'd find him and bring him home.."
"Promise.."
"Alright, but if it isn't him can I come back in and get more ideas?"
"Yeah, sure.. Just don't cause any trouble or tell about this to anyone.. The cops are here.. Go ahead and look."
"Oh thank you! May God bless you!" I smiled brightly at him and left. As soon as I made it past the cops and around the back of the building, my smile vanished. I was hungry and wanting something disease free to eat.
Stealthly moving along I made it to the door. Putting my ear to the hard wood surface, I listened for any sounds... The tv could be heard on low and the snoring of a sleeping person. Smiling,I gripped the door handle in my hand and began to twist until the lock snapped. Stepping inside, I paused not hearing any snoring coming from the bed?
"H-Hello? Sorry to disturb you.. I am looking for someone.." I paused, barely able to make out his form on the bed. I glanced around and opened my senses up.. I could hear no one else in the room save the one heart beat on the bed. I had to think fast here to get my meal.. I wished I could see him a little better but it was pitch black in here. I could barely make out his features, he was definately older than the clerk gave impression of...

 

[nightray]

Ray

As I move in the dance of death and life the swords a stark contrast to one another. My center clears like the eye of a storm light and dark dancing around it but with in I find the calm that I seek. I move in to forms with out faltering sheets of water falling around me as the swords cut swathes threw it. The dark sword causing the rain to freeze in to the snow the sword of truth vaporizing the rain in to stem.

In the center I relax watching the good and evil with in my mind fight for control knowing that nether would win and that baleens must be found. My eye’s shut as I move letting my other senses guide the movements of the blades. I move like this with out thought of time it could have been minutes or hours theirs no telling.

With out warning an image flashes in my minds eye I freeze in mide motion as Cats image floats agenst my eyelids. I frown she’s dead isn’t she? I ask my self as my blood sisters image dances before me. Then a wave of darkness enfolds the image as if it never was.

I stand in the down pore not even breathing heavily as the confusion over takes my mind the calm in the center gone for now. I sheath the swords and strap them to my waist. I walk to door on the roof of my pent house and walk down the stairs. Shaking my head as I go sending droplets of water every where.

I walk silently to my bedroom pealing my clothes off as I go letting them drop on to the rug. I toss the swords on to my bed and walk in to the bathroom. I stand in front of the mirror looking at my self my eye that where as black as the cave whair the dark sword had been kept for who knows how long now have sparks of light swirling in their depths swirling like a vortex.

I shut my eye’s trying not to think trying to push the confusion away looking for the eye of the storm agen. I move to the shower turning it on as hot as it will go. I step under the jets of water just standing there letting the hot water run over me worming my skin but no mater how long I stand under the spray of water the warmth never reaching my core.

I scrub my self clean though I never felt truly clean not sins my master called me to his prison to set me on this path to free him. I step out of the shower drying my self off as I move in to my room. My eyes land on the swords agene the wards moving threw my mind haunting me.

I dress quickly feeling the need to feed the hunger knowing at me like a wild animal. I look at the swords trying to force my self to leave them her for the hunt but ever sins I touched the dark sword I found that I could leave ether of them behind nomater how hard I try. Grown as I pick them up buckling them to my waist and putting on a trench coat to conceal them.

Walk to the elevator hitting the down button stepping in as the doors open for me. I walk out of the lobby ignoring the door man as he opens the door for me asking if I want a cab or an umbrella. I walk back out in to the rain moving smoothly in to the crowd of people walking in the streets some with umbrellas some with out none looking to happy.

I move aimlessly threw the streets looking for a good victim one that wouldn’t be mist to much. I move in to central park moving in the shadows easily making no sound even if you could hear a sound threw the rain and thunder. I smile evilly as I see a copal running out of the park with a picnic basking between the two of them.

I smoothly step out in front of them causing them to stop in there tracks. The man looks at me aeration in his eyes “what do you want?” He snaps as the girl stand behind him looking at me nervously.

I smile calmly not saying a ward looking in to his eyes letting him see the sweraling lights in the darkness. He steps back fear coming in to his eyes. He drops the basket with a splash of mud and water.

“RUN TANYA RUN.” He yells to the girl she screams tuning on her heal and running for her life. The man pulls a small gun out from under his coat painting it shakily at me. “S s stand back I’m not afraid to us it.” He says in a shaky voice.

I just look at him shaking my head slowly disappointed in his coreds. With a speed that stuns the pore human I kick out with on foot his gun flying away as he cradles he broken hand. I move tords him my eyes locked to his freezing him in place like a dear in the headlights of an on coming car.

I put my right hand on his shoulder as my left tilts his head to one side exposing his throat to me. I lean in and bit hard my fangs delving in to his artery. I moan as the first hot wave of blood touches my tong and moves down my throat searing it. The blood landing in my stomach like hot milk in a babes. I drain him quickly I then take a dagger and slit his throat my hands moving quickly taking his wallet to make it look like a mugging.

I then look up in the direction the girl ran a smile on my lips as I run after her my ears open lessoning for her splashing foot steps as her sent is being wasted away by the rain. I fallow her muddy foot prints tell I cum to her sprold body she had tripped and hit her head on a park bench.

I look down at her body shaking my head she wasn’t as much fun as I was hoping for. I lean down picking her up easily I bite in to her neck sucking deeply. I grown as flashes of her memories run threw my mind. I take my mouth from her lifeless corps looking at it as tears run down my face washed away by the rain she has kids that will never see her agene.

I blink shaking my head “Why do I car she is food and that is all she is.” I savagely cut her throat as if in retaliation for making me feel that way. I then rip her clothes off. I lay her on the bench as if she was raped and murdered there.

I look down at her a snarl on my lips. I then turn and walk in to the rain the darkness embarrassing me.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

"Christian," the vampire's voice met me halfway back to consciousness. I tried to open my eyes, but they weren't ready to budge yet.
"We have to get him out of here," a voice said. Leona?s I was certain. "They had to hear that shot. Someone'll be here soon enough. We can?t risk being found."
"Christian," Locke insisted, his hand shaking my left arm, not touching my right side.
My eyes opened then, with little effort even. I looked up at the large creature, who smiled nervously down at me.
"I thought we'd lost you," he stated.
I shook my head. "No, you didn't."
"Of course not," he said, smiling slightly. "Bad-asses don't die."
Leona was at my side, pulling me to my feet, using strength she wouldn't have seemed to have had given her physical appearance. Petite like Kayla, she looked as though she'd struggle carrying a loud of laundry or a medium sized bag of dog food. She raised me up as if I were a quarter of my weight.
"We have to get him out of here," Leona said again.
"Kayla will help me," I said, looking around.
"Christian," Locke said.
"Kayla," I tried to raise my voice, but it would go no louder than a fairly loud mutter.
"Christian," Locke said again, looking at me, not turning his eyes away.
I turned, seeing her laying there, unmoving, a few feet away, only a short distance from where I'd been laying.
"Christian."
I met his eyes this time. He shook his head, then said, "We have to go. And we have to go now."
I looked at him for a moment, the truth sinking in when I didn't want it to, not really...not at all.
"Kayla," I said, pulling away from Leona. I fell to my knees a moment later, managing only two steps, but still getting to her. I reached out and pulled at her shoulder, drawing her nearer to me, rolling her onto her back. Wide eyes stared up at the ceiling, but no one waited behind them. Her chest didn't rise and fall; she didn't move.
I lowered my head, resting it on her chest, blood from her wounds saturating my hair, and wept, whispering her name over and over again.
"She was right next to you," Locke explained. "She took the brunt of the attack, most of the damage. The buckshot...it hit her on the right side, not the left. It must have found her heart...It tore into her lung and kidney.."
I took in a deep breath, fighting back sobs. It was one of those moments when you vowed revenge, but it wasn't in me to do so. Even if the vampire had gotten away, I would never have thought to do so. She was gone, and part of me had gone with her.
"Christian," Leona began. "We're taking her body with us, but it's time to go. We have to go now."
She took hold of me, pulling me up again. I didn't fight her, had no fight left in me. She pulled me up and led me toward the metal rungs of the later leading up into the alley above.
Consciousness was fading again, and as the world went black, I whispered her name once more.
"Kayla..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

With as little noise as possible I finished my meal and left one weak man drained nearly lifeless on the bed. I had stopped before death, but uncertain why?
Being a killer, a gunman/woman for hire, why would I bother stopping? I had reasons, maybe I just wasn't thinking of them just yet? Wiping my mouth, I headed out the door and paused when the ring started glowing brightly.
"Lance!?" I whispered out loud. Glancing around, I had no idea where he was, but the ring was reacting.
Walking out and shutting the door quietly behind me, I wound my way around the motel towards the door Willow's morons had broken into.
He was here somewhere, but where? Pulling out my daggers, I crept silently around from door to door, watching the ring on my hand. Willow was no where in sight, perhaps still eating at the pub? Good.. I wanted Lance on my own terms. Not with some asshole breathing down my neck!
"Come out.. come out where ever you are.." I said with a soft tone and a lopsided grin on my face. The ring was heating up and shining brighter, a good indication he was behind the door or somewhere within..

 

[poohlive]

Lance walked up to the strange woman, glancing inside his room. He lopped his head to the side, unsure why she just stood there, whispering to herself. It looked quite strange...
And yet, familiar. In the pale moonlight that beamed down he could swore her silhouatted figure reminded him of someone. That was impossible.
Probably just the cleaning lady.
"Excuse me," he tapped her on the shoulder, to get her attention, "I don't need any towels, thank you."
She turned around, and that was when he saw it. The figure, the form, the light hair that fell from her shoulders like a soft waterfall on a sweltering summery day.
"Aria!"
He couldn't stop himself. Lance moved to hug her, holding her close in his arms.
"I thought they had killed you. I didn't think anyone survived. They said Ray made it, but I didn't know you did too."
He held her close, still unable to believe she stood here before him.
"What happened, how did you escape?"

 

[Firegirl976]

Katerina

(What the hell am I doing?) This is the thought that speeds through my head as I continue packing my bags carefully wrapping my books to protect them. When I finaly finish with the necessary items, checking again to be sure the bag of magical items is cloaked I turn to the wardrobe to grab some last minute clothing. Reaching in I pull out my usual black leather slacks and green t-shirt but as I begin to reach for my trench I feel the old familiar outfit in the back and pull it out instead. The green leather vest and pants doesnt' reflect the light like you would expect but absorbes it, I run my hands over the battle worn gear and think back to all the times it had saved my life. I place them on the bed and reaching in grab my matching boots, long coat, and sword. I set everything down and unwrapping the sword and throwing knives smile a bit at the feel of it in my hand. Unsheathing it I hold it steady for a moment, thinking of the time when Ray had all but gotten himself killed to get it for me. It was blessed by the goddess herself in ancient times and instilled with several "spells" to help the barer in battle. I close my eyes remembering how he had smiled softly his black hair tossled and hugged me tightly, when I thanked him with the kiss to the cheek, the soft look in his then deep amber eyes, before the darkness had affected him, and before the constant struggle that he fought. I shook my head as the ring began to again send heat through my hand and up into my arm, for some reason this ring wanted me to seek out Ray. Could my bloodbrother still be out there somewhere in need of me?? Would I still know him as my brother? Too many questions ran through my mind as I finished packing my sword, knives, and gear included and grabbing my things walk out the door headed for where ever this ring led me, and my blood called.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Excuse me?" I felt a tapping on my shoulder, "I dont need any towels, thank you." I turned around, curious who in the world would be touching me like that?
Turning I eyed the stranger with a smirk, so this was Lance? He didn't look that threatening to me?
"Aria?" He gasped out, hugging me. This caused a frown and a tensing up. Pushing away from him, I eyed him warily.
"Wait a minute..." He interrupted asked me all these questions.
"Lance?" I asked, to verify I had the right target.
"What happened, how did you escape?" He finally stopped trying to hug me, this was one weird guy!
"Excuse me!" I glanced around, wondering where Willow was? Grabbing him by his shirt, I yanked him inside and shut the door. Turning around to face him, I pulled my daggers closer to my body and stared at him thoughtfully.
"What game are you playing with me?" I didn't know why I was wasting time asking a target some questions, but I had to know what he meant by 'Aria'?

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

"Kayla."
I was sitting up, the blankets that had covered me up to my neck still falling to my waist as consciousness returned in full force.
"Calm," a voice insisted, the melodic tone it held almost hypnotizing.
Isabelle sat in the corner, curled up in a chair there, legs drawn up to her chest. From where I lay, she looked surreal, almost as though she were a ghost, instead of what she truly was.
"Shouting and getting overworked will not bring her back to us," she stated, standing and walking closer. I was in a large bed, sheets red satin, with a matching red canopy hanging overhead. Candles burned in each corner, mounted on the bedposts that towered upward to support the canopy. I recognized the room as hers immediately, and I could hear the thrumming sounds of the bass from the music playing in the club below.
As she came closer, she became more real, the candlelight illuminating her, bringing her ghostly apparition back to its usual pale complexion, red hair hanging beautifully over her shoulders, almost to her waist. She crawled up onto the bed, settling back onto her heels next to me, looking down at me, blue eyes probing.
"You've lost a good friend, we all have," she stated.
A good friend?
"A lover," she corrected, as if reading my thoughts, which she might have been doing. "And one not easily replaced. But she is gone, and we cannot bring her back."
And why not, I thought. Of all the things we could do, things that humans would have no understanding of, no realization of the power we could possess, why not returning the dead to life? To humans, we were like Gods.
"Gods?" She asked, confirming my initial thought of mind-reading. "We are not Gods, Christian. We are as weak as they are. If the book is used for evil, the very book we fight over, the book we fear, then what? Will we be Gods then?"
I lowered my eyes.
"She was an honor to us, and now we should honor her, by living with her memory instead of dieing in her wake."
She was right, but living had lost its zest, its...importance.
"I will miss her," I stated.
"We all will, though none so much as you, Christian. Remember that you are my child. I will be here for you, whenever you need, whatever you need. Now, lay back and rest. You need relaxation and sleep, and nourishment, in order to heal properly."
She stood again, finding the small stand near the head of the bed and taking the chalice from it, holding it out to me. I drank from it as she instructed, but the flavor wasn't as it should have been. Cold yes, but also bland for some reason.
She placed the chalice on the stand when I'd emptied it, then picked up a small wash basin and crawled up onto the bed again, this time pressing me back until I lay facing the ceiling. She reached into the basin, wetting a small sponge there, then went about wiping at my forehead, wetting my skin so as to let off some of the heat of fever that had built up within me, but the fever of healing was a strong one just then, and my body radiated heat, I could tell. The usually warm room felt chilly just then, cold in fact.
"I'll do what I can to help you, my dear," she said, smiling softly down at me. "But you must rest."

 

[poohlive]

Lance opened his mouth to speak, but he looked at the room as it lay now in shambles. His eyes glossed over as he realized someone had just been here, looking for him.
No, the page.
Lance growled, running to the table that had been overturned.
"They were here," he fumbled through the crap, getting on his knees, and punching into the wall.
He brought out a cell phone, tucking it into the coat that fell like a cape over his figure.
"We can't stay here, they'll be back any minute. Come on, we can grab a cab and go somewhere safe. At least for a little while. They found Ray, can you believe that? I thought Ray was dead, just like you, but they found him in New York. As soon as things die down, we'll go find him."
He grabbed her hand, "Come on."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

He rambled around the room.. A strange man.. Muttering and swearing as he searched and gathered things. He grabbed my hand, yanking me behind him and out the door.
"Ray?" Who was Ray? And where was this Ray? And why would I care? I was confused, but amused as well.
Ok so I go along with him for a little while, maybe he would lead me to whatever Mongrel wanted?
It was a thought. He hailed a taxi and pushed me inside. When he climbed in beside me, I sat silently, wondering "What in the hell was going on here?!" Why did he act like he knew me? Did I remind him of someone? My eyes widened a little as I thought... I had no past before a few months ago.. Mongrel said I was his hired assasin.. Didn't mean it was the truth.. Right?
I didn't know what to do. Kill him and get this job done, go back to Mongrel's manor.. Or did I go along with this mad man and find out what in the world he was talking about.
I turned sideways a little, eyeing him up and down. He didn't look familiar to me.. Infact He didn't spark any memories what so ever.. So?? Who was he? More importantly, who was he to me?
"Where are we going?" I asked quietly.

 

[poohlive]

Lance looked out at the window, long enough to see the hotel disappear from site. He gave a bit of a hearfelt sigh as he did so, glad to be away from everything.
"Going?" He paused for a moment, thinking. The wheels turning and churning inside, "Someplace outside of town. I don't think a rental place is open this late, maybe we'll just get a hotel room and wait until morning. We can leave then, rent a car and go to Melbourne, or maybe even the Upper Wales. Just make ourselves scarce for a few days."
Lance hated running like this. Sweat running through him, always looking behind his shoulder for something lurking beneath the shadows. He had given up on fear a long time ago, but fear never gave up on him.
"Hey, so, you going to explain yourself or just leave me here with a grin on my face," He hugged her again, long enough to let his arms linger at her side.
"What happened? How did you get off the boat alive?"