Witchfall [Closed to eternal_blade]

[black_howling]

The lights of the subway train flickered in the midnight tunnel as Alley began to walk on up the ramp, boarding the train just moments before it was cued to leave. A sigh was fresh on the brunettes lips as she eyed her surroundings, the same creepers and night time luggers that always scuttled about at this hour. So where's that put you? She teased herself with a breathless giggle, and walked on to the back of the first car to take a seat.

Sitting down, Alley set her leather purse beside her, and crossed one leg over the other. She was still clad in the short skirt she'd chosen for the audition, her makeup more fit for a vampire role then the Gothic teen she'd just applied for. Maybe that was why it'd turned sour? In truth it was still unclear if her outfit was the reason for the denial, or the fact that she simply did not look girlish enough for the role.

Alley knew well her form was more fitted to an older role, so it wouldn't surprise her. The dark locks of brunette hair, her full curved and fit figure, even her choice in makeup showed more adult touches then her tender nineteen years would state for. All in all, it wasn't the asset she had assumed it'd be; quite the contrary in fact. That's just how it goes... She mused in her mind, closing her eyes as the subway train finally took off.

Alley relaxed back then, folding her hand in her lap as she tried to wash her money worries away before she got home. It was starting to work, and she was just beginning to settle down when she was startled by the feeling of a hand resting on her shoulder. "Ahh!" She squealed aloud with apprehension, and her eyes bolted open to the sight of a tall man standing beside her subway seat.

Alley shrank back in the chair at first, locking eyes with the dark dressed man as he chuckled aloud. "You shouldn't startle people like that..." She chastised him with a breathless giggle, and shook her head. He didn't respond though, and in fact gripped her shoulder to pull her up from the seating. She squealed at first, and threw his hand hand from her as she skidded back to call for help. When she turned to look, no one was there; like they had vanished from sight.

"What the hell is going on here!?" Alley questioned with fright, and turned back only to find the man standing mere inches from her. He gripped her by the forearm this time, and stared into her eyes with a deadly gaze. "Don't cause too much of a stir. We don't need you conscious." He warned her in a cool tone, causing her eyes to widen as she opened her mouth to scream. No voice came out though, only air passing her lips as if she was unable to speak.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner waited at the downtown subway station, his back against a once white pillar that had been dulled to a brown by years of use. His head titled slightly which made his light brown hair fall slightly from the hood of his leather long coat, as his green eyes scanned over the people boarding the train. He didn't know exactly what the man he was looking for looked like, but he was certain he'd know the man when he seen him

It was then that a man in a dark hooded sweatshirt walked down the ramp, it didn't take his eyes long to look just ahead of the man at a dark haired woman dressed more like she was getting ready for a hokey play about modern vampires than an urban city girl. Well I suppose these day they are one in the same. Conner thought with some amusement, and a sly grin crossed his features.

It had been a long time since he had last been called on, it had been a long time since the order had been needed, but now they had regrouped and it felt good to be back on the hunt. He watched the girl walk tiredly into the train, she looked as if she had just been through weeks of work with no food. He was certain that wasn't even close to what her life was like, but then it didn't really matter at this point anyway.

Conner pushed his tall well built form from the pillar, and walked to enter the train two cars down. As he walked in the doors, he seen the normal dirty cloths and ragged looking thugs that made up the cities homeless, and all of them looked at him with either hate or envy as he walked past them in an expensive black leather coat, dark blue jeans, and a grey sweater. He was well dressed for someone getting on the subway, and they knew something was amiss.

He brushed past them, ignoring the stares he got as he made his way into the second car, which was filled with the same rabble. In my day; we made uses for such varmints. He thought with slight bitterness at the centuries that had passed since his rein, but then smiled as he made it to the door to the first car. "Ah, now we are getting somewhere." Conner whispered under his breath as he looked into the first car which was empty besides for two forms.

That must be Marcus Lorkowski. He thought of the man in the dark sweatshirt, but his gaze did eventually go to the woman he had by the arm. Time to go find out what the girl is for... He thought with a slight thrill as he knew what the creature that held her truly was. His arm turned hard on the door which caused it to slide open with a swoosh sound, and he made his way into the car in all but a single fluid motion.

"Hello, Marcus. My name is Conner, and I'm here to ask you a few questions." His slightly accented voice was calm, near cold like he was talking to someone he had total control over, and nothing to fear from. The man pulled the girl in front of him, seeming more out of reflex than actually knowing who Conner was. Conner for his part just kept a calm, cold smile on his lips as his hands came together in front of him.

Conner titled his head at the man, sizing him up with his green eyes. "Okay, fine. You don't have to be polite. My first question is; what is SHE for?" His accented tone was more pointed, and he even pointed a finger at the woman Marcus now held hostage. This question wasn't actually needed, but it held his curiosity none the less. He was truthfully just suppose to get the man to tell him where the rest of the cabal was hiding...

 

[black_howling]

A feeling of hopelessness surrounded Alley at the way he seemed to quiet her voice, but in spite of it she tried to tug her arm from his grasp. It was no sooner she made that motion that a cold came over her, and she breath a cloud of fog into the air while swooning. The man before her just chuckled at it all, bringing his other hand to her face as the strength seemed to be drained from her form by the sharp chill.

Terrified, Alley shivered as she stared at his hand; watching as green light began to form in his palm. This isn't real, this isn't real! This can't be happening! She repeatedly thought, almost as if she hoped it would make such true. Squirming, she looked pleadingly at him as he neared the glowing palm toward her lips, and she could feel more energy leaving her form, almost as if that green light was absorbing it.

Alley's chest heaved as she whimpered, but before it touched her skin he turned sharply, bringing her in front of him. She hadn't heard the man now standing at the train car entrance, and she stared at him with a mixture of fear and relief. She still shivered at the cold, and it was as his mouth moved before her eyes that she realized she was unable to hear his words. What's going on?

Alley was on the verge of tears when the man gripped her tighter, and put his hand to her throat with electricity now crackling in the palm. She felt a rush of energy that made her swoon as it neared her, and she gasped for air as sound came back to her ears all at once. "Unless you want her dead, I'd step back!" The dark hooded man screamed at the newcomer, and she cried out realizing she had regained her voice.

The grip on her tightened, and it was then Alley realized that her scream wasn't supposed to be heard. As if in fear, the man tried to bring the shock to her throat, but the closer it got, the more she felt invigorated. When it touched her flesh, she could feel her eyes roll into the back of her head; and a scream that sent the same shock crackling from her lips pierced the air. As if injured, the man holding her let out a howl, releasing his grasp as he stumbled backward.

Alley crumpled to the subway floor in that instance, her eyes traveling to the strangers above her as she whimpered from a strange feeling that seemed to radiate throughout her being. "H-h-help..." She plead up to him through the strange feeling that seemed to take away her strength to move, but another flash came over her before she could hear any response. She convulsed then, sight taken from her as a light seemed to pour into her eyes, and pain wracked her mind.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner narrowed his eyes as the man brought forth crackling electricity to his hands, and then to her throat. Now why would he be willing to kill her, when he had gone out of his way to stalk her? The thought rolled on in his mind, as he stepped a little closer to the couple. He had come here to get answers, and this move the man had made had brought up more questions than Conner cared for.

"You went through a great deal of trouble for you to just kill her now. What's your game? What is she for?" His words were still calm as he stepped forward, and the mans eyes went wild as he brought the crackling palm her throat, the electricity coming into contact with her skin. Conner rushed forward in a near leap to stop it, but then a pulse burst forth from the young woman that knocked him back.

The world went white as conner felt himself knocked on his rump and skid to the door that had closed electronically. He barely let out a grunt as his back slammed into the door denting it in slightly, and with a slight growl he rose back to his feet. His eyes hadn't fully cleared up, but he could make out the form of the girl all but laying on the train floor, and the man that seemed to be pulling more energy for another spell.

Conner shook his head, and then felt the slight tingle rush up him as the man let loose a bolt of lightning his way. Conner let out another growl, and flicked his wrist which brought forth an old style dagger. However a cry from the girl resounded out, and his vision seemed to clear. He looked down to find her shrouded in a bright light, and the man at the very front of the car on his back. Conner then looked at the girl with far more curiosity than before.

For every question answered, ten more take it's place... Conner recalled his father saying, now realizing that Marcus had not really known the reasons for whatever order he had been given, just that he was suppose to do them, and those orders involved the girl. Conner walked on over to the young woman that writhed on the ground, and leaned down to brush the dagger over her forehead.

The light seeped from her form, and into the blade of the weapon in his hand. The blade seared red hot from the energy that it had just absorbed, and with a slight tense of his hand the dagger disappeared with a hiss up the sleeve of his coat. "Are you alright?" Conner said holding her by the back of her neck, while his other hand brushed the hair from her eyes.

As he waited for her to answer him he looked up to see Marcus trying to raise to his feet, but obviously having trouble managing it. A frown crossed his lips at that, and he laid the young womans head back to the train floor. "Give me just one second, darling." Conner whispered to her as he laid her head back down, before rising to walk over to the struggling mage.

As Conner got within arms reach of the man, he shook his head once more. Such a pity, he may not know anything, but we'll soon see. Conner thought as the man looked up to him with gritted teeth. "Good night, Marcus." Conner said briskly before kicking the man in the face, and breaking his nose. The mages head snapped back, and his entire form slumped to the ground.

Conner turned to walk back to the young woman, who's body seemed to still arch in some aftershocks of pain. So, now that I've taken care of the mage: what is she, and what just happened? Conner asked himself as he walked back to her with a soft smile on his lips. "Sorry for the interruption. I'm Conner Malone." He said as he leaned down to check on her once more

 

[black_howling]

The pain wracking Alley's mind grew stronger by the moment, and gathering with it came flashes of a distant place. Images flowed freely through her head, speeding up every time another convulsion rocked her to the core. Lights flashed as the images grew in tempo. Symbols, sigils; creatures she didn't know what were. Then it came, the flourish started; and before her very eyes seemed to unfold the mystical things that made had done to her.

The spell he had used to hold alley still came to her thoughts, and sight reutned to her eyes as she breath out, and her fingers dug into the surface beneath her. Shivers of pain still dotted her now and then, even as she arched her neck to stare at the newcomer that was now leaning down to check on her. His introduction barely registered in her mind as she looked past him to see her attacker laid out on the ground. Was that me or him...?

The mental question was nothing compared to the new found fear that came over her as she realized this man had just taken down the thing that had stolen her free will. "What's going on!?" She questioned aloud before the proper sense came to her mind, and she rolled over to face him while crawling backwards toward the door. She reached it, but was surprised to find the handle dented in, which sent her eyes flashing back to the man standing across from her.

Alley breath hard for a few seconds just staring at him, but soon she felt herself calm down just a little. "Alley- Alley Marie Klein." She answered as the fact that he had introduced himself finally came to her mind, and she grabbed the dented door handle as she used it to pull herself up. He seemed way to calm for her liking, and she couldn't tell if that calmed her or just made her more nervous. What in the hell just happened!?

Alley didn't know the answer to her question, but she was bright enough to realize this man might. So she bit her lip, and leaned back against the door as she stared at him. "What- was that?" She asked while blinking, every so often staring back to the attacker that seemed unconscious on the ground. This man had a lot of explaining to do....

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner frowned slightly as the girl shivered and convulsed in his arms, and his thumb ran over her check briefly. It was about that point that she bolted up, her eyes wide in terror, not unlike the look he had seen on many other girls, but it was somehow different at the same time. He watched her calmly even as she asked her shaken question, and as she skidded to the door he had been knocked against.

He winced as her hand came to rest on the handle that looked like it had been hit hard by a baseball bat. Conner sighed as he rose to stand fully, and looked at her with a calm smile as she introduced herself. He nodded his head in agreement with her. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Alley, or would Miss Klein be more appropriate?" He asked before walking over to her while pulling a badge from his coat.

"My name is Conner Malone, I'm a detective with the police department." He watched her slightly as he showed her the badge, even going so far as to hand it to her for inspection. "Alley, I understand how frightening this must all seem. This man has displayed things to you that no one should have witnessed" He said calmly as he gestured to the man that was now laying in his own blood.

Conner sighed again, and looked her directly in the eyes. "Alley, what I'm about to tell you may be hard to believe. This man, Marcus, is an international spy. He stole a devise from our government that made that electricity that flowed around his hand." He said somewhat grimly, while looking in her eyes and not blinking once as he did it. Liar... He thought to himself, as he recalled shelling this bull out to another victim of magic a few decades earlier, none the less he knew it was better than telling her the truth.

He sighed again. "I'd like you to come with me, to have you checked out by a doctor. I don't know what that device does, or what it's effects on you might be." He spoke to her as if she had every right to leave at any time, it was something that did not come easy to him. In his time, she would not have had a choice but to come with him, but in modern times certain freedoms were allowed the people.

Conner looked over to the electronic symbols on the side of the train that indicated where they were, and where they were going. "We'll be there soon, but you still have time to make up your mind." He said as he brought out his phone and dialed for his supervisor.

As he went down the list of normal protocol that being a police officer required, she was left to her own devices, but he wasn't worried because he knew that things were working out more or less as they had been planned. By the time the train came to it's stop, there would be plenty of squad cars, and black SUV's with dark tinted windows to make his point.

 

[black_howling]

Alley locked eyes with Conner as he came forward to her, and she nodded to him as she took the badge from his hands. Listening to his words, she inspected it; going so far as to rub her fingers over it to see if it would smudge or peel any. It proved convincing enough to her, so she handed the badge back to him as she looked over to the man he was gesturing toward.

No kidding... Alley thought sarcastically, of course she wasn't supposed to witness something that! Though as he continued, she shook her head in disbelief, cocking it sideways as if in question. This didn't seem to face the smooth talking detective at all, and he continued despite how her mouth went agape at what he was telling her. Does he expect me to believe that? She wondered, though when she thought about it, there was no more likely explanation.

"Wait! I didn't see any device on him." She interjected, but he seemed uninterested in that at the moment, and turned to speak on his phone. She let out a frustrated sigh then, and walked over to slump down in one of the cars benches, needing a break from this for a while. What had just happened here, was this man really telling her the truth?

Alley knew the answers weren't gonna come out and bite her in the rear, so for now she'd just have to go with what this man said. Looking toward Conner as she felt the train slow, she rose; and walked forward, poking his arm lightly to grab his attention. "Even with the device, where'd everyone go? The car had others in it before he showed up. Did the 'device' convince them to leave before I noticed?" She asked in a suspicious tone, not sure if he'd really be able to answer her.

Alley realized then it wasn't him she was doubting, and so she stared to the side with a sigh. "Sorry- you didn't deserve that. I'm just confused..." She said, her voice now taking on more of a more soft tone. Looking back up to him, she titled her head. "So, where do we go from here? You said you wanted someone to look me over... Does that mean you think whatever he did might still be able to hurt me?" She asked with fear creeping into her voice more then she wanted it to.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner got off the phone with his superior and slid it into his coat pocket, before turning around to speak to her as the train was slowing. No sooner had he turned to face her than she poked him in the arm, which caused him to look at her with a slight grin. His grin faded however as she spoke of the other passengers on the car, and he nodded his head at her.

She however went on with an apology before more of his lies could fill her ears. Do I really have an excuse for everything? He thought to himself condescendingly at the lie that had come to his mind all to quickly. Conner just patted her on the shoulder, and frowned at her next question. "I understand your confusion, and I don't know what he might have done or if there could be lingering effects." He said, and it was the truth.

Conner for his own side of it, knew the spell should have killed her on the spot, an unfortunate tragedy, but one that couldn't be helped. Collateral damage happened all the time, and there was nothing he or anyone else could do about it. The only true anomaly here was the fact that she was still breathing, it was an anomaly Conner would have to investigate further.

He wrapped his arm around her moving her from the train that had just stopped, and into the already well maintained perimeter that the police and federal agents had put into place. Mac, you're faster than I am.. Conner thought on a fellow member of the order that had managed to pull this end of things off well. The news would state that a terrorist had tried to take the entire train hostage, with a stolen experimental weapon, and in all hopes that would be as far as it went on their end.

As he moved her along, a woman in a paramedics uniform came to meet them with a stretcher. "Go with them, Alley. I'll check up on you later." He told her as he unwrapped his arm from her shoulder to go speak with a dark haired man in a black suit. For their part a number of men cautiously went into the train to apprehend the fugitive who was in slight need of a cosmetic surgeon.

Conner did however look back to Alley with a concerned look. "Who's the girl?" The dark haired man asked Conner, which caused Conner to squint in slight puzzlement. "Not sure, Mac, but she shouldn't be breathing. I'll fill you in later, but suffice it to say she's collateral damage." Mac took on a puzzled but grim visage, and simply nodded his head.

Marcus Lorkowski was taken into custody, but would not find his way to any normal interrogation room. The order still needed to find out if he knew anything, and for Conner's part he headed to the hospital later that night to check up on Alley.

As he walked from the elevator that entered the floor Alley was on, he found that things seemed for the most part normal. A couple of nurses were chatting at the desk, whom he had to flash his badge to get access to the rest of the floor.

As he walked down the halls however, he couldn't help but get this feeling as if something wasn't right. The halls seemed darker than he thought they should, quieter than they should have been. Sure it was early morning, but patients should have at least been snoring. Something was a miss, and so Conner quickened his pace to the young womans room. Something told him that she had been the cabals target...

 

[black_howling]

Despite her suspicions, Alley found herself somewhat comforted by his honesty. She was just comforted, however; and the fact that he was unsure of what could be wrong did leave her scared. "A-alright..." She answered, swallowing back the fear that settled within her. There was just too much uncertainty here, it felt like it was beginning to close in around her.

Those fears washed from Alley's mind when Conner wrapped his arm around her, and she just let out a soft giggle as she shook her head, walking outside with him. The squad cars and tinted windows surprised her immediately, and despite the strong arm around her shoulder, they made her nervous. It was then that she spotted the stretcher coming their way, and a lump formed in her throat

That's NOT for me! Alley mentally squeaked when she seen it, but sure enough Conner bid her to go along with them. "Really, I don't need to get on that, thing do I?" She asked the paramedic, but she just nodded her head. With a sigh, she just gave up; and let them haul her onto the stretcher, and into the back of the ambulance despite her claustrophobia.

When they got Alley to the ER, it was a mess. Question upon question was laid onto her shoulders, and without telling her a thing they moved her on up to her own room. From there she dealt with a Physician whom had a bedside manner to rival House, and with still no answers given to her, she was left alone in the room.

Alley was fiddling with her hospital blanket, wondering on getting some sleep when suddenly her head began to throb. "What now..." She whined aloud, and cupped her forehead as she whimpered. Light again flashed in her eyes, and a spasm so strong it made her arch backwards wracked over her body.

She squirmed on the bed for a second while panting, before the throb started to ebb down; and left only shivers over her body. Alley bolted up then with her eyes searching around the room, wondering why none of the nurses had come during her fit. It was then she felt something, a tingle running along her skin that made her gasp and grip into the bedding beneath her for stability. "Shhh! It's okay, just calm down. We're here to help you..." A voice fluttered to her mind, causing her head to whip back and forth.

"Where are you!?" Alley asked aloud in panic, but the voice in her mind merely chuckled. "I told you we aren't here to hurt you, now settle down." The voice entered her mind again, and suddenly a vapory form began to appear at the end of her bed. She stiffened at the sight of it, and rose from the bed in her hospital gown, grabbing the receiver to the phone as if it was a viable weapon.

Laughter emitted from the vapors as Alley brandished the thick plastic, and in her mind came the voice once more. "Give it up, girl. I'm not here to hurt you, but if you get too feisty I will...." The threat rang loud in her head, and she whimpered as the vapors formed more rapidly from there, coming to the visage of a fair haired male in a sharp suit. He chuckled at her first off, and then began to walk her way.

Alley wasn't about to victimized again, and so she screamed aloud as she stepped forward to smash him with the object in her hand. "GET AWAY FROM ME!!!" She screamed as she smacked him across the temple so hard the receiver broke, but to her shock the man's head just cocked back with a grunt. "That hurt!" He Retorted with anger as he brought his eyes back to her.

Alley felt true fear course through her then, and tried to step back, but the man was faster. With a swift motion, he stepped forward and backhanded her across the face. "Ahhh! She squealed aloud, sprawling backwards from the force. She hit the wall as she clasped her cheek, and brought her terror filled eyes to the suited man as he stalked forward with a chuckle that made her shiver.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner's quick pace brought him to the corridor, where Alley's room was located. It was a deserted hall for someplace they kept patients that were to be observed over night, and worst for Conner was the shadowy vapors that shrouded Alley's doorway. Oh, now what's this? Conner asked himself hastily as he made his way to the portal, a worried expression growing even graver has he did such.

Once he got close enough for the vapor to reach his nostrils, his eyes went wide for a second. A demon?! He thought gravely, at the smell of death and sulfur that attempted to overwhelm his senses. Conner gave a flick of his wrist, knowing he had to act quickly, and the same silver dagger from earlier came his hand with a slight hiss. It was at that point that Conner could hear Alley scream out in what could have only been her attacking the demon with some item she had thought would be useful against it.

Conner knew nothing she had in that room would even phase it, he also knew the weapons at his current disposal weren't exactly choice for such an encounter, but you didn't plan to fight demons everyday. He waved the dagger through the vapors as he heard a slight hiss from inside, and then a yelp from Alley. The vapors were absorbed into the silver blade, allowing him passage.

The sight that greeted him was a familiar face, in a white suit, and Alley backing up along the ground from the creature before her. He could see the bruising on her cheek, which of course brought a frown to his features. "Conner, how nice of you to join us! I was just instructing the lady of the hour in manners her parents obviously did not enforce." The demon laughed at that point, it's unearthly voice ringing clear in both their minds and ears.

It wasn't even trying to hide what it was at this point, and why should it have, the cat was out of the bag sort of speak. "Alley, get to the door." Conner said calmly, but cautiously as he moved to put himself between the demon and the girl that had become all to important. Demons, especially powerful ones like the one Conner knew by name before him, did not get involved in mortal affairs that often.

"Nethys, what is she for?" Conner called the demon by it's name, which made it's human eyes glow with a sinister darkness. "Oh, but Conner: you haven't noticed?!" Nethys gave a moment, as if for dramatic effect, meanwhile Conner had managed to slip his free hand in his coat without giving too much away. The last time Conner had ran into this creature it had turned out bad for the entire order, and since Conner had kept a few things to help with such encounters.

"She is not like the others, the others that can force their wills on the world; the others that you are cursed to keep in the boundaries of their own world. No, she is far more: useful." A hiss escaped the creatures lips as it noticed what Conner was doing. "Oh, such hostilities. Do you think you have something that can even the odds?" The demon went back to using it's vessels voice once more, which once upon a time might have caught Conner off guard when the creatures attack came.

shadowy fingers shot forth from Nethy's shadow, the fingers themselves, claws that sought solace in Conner's chest. Conner's right hand whipped up, the silver dagger wielded to cut the shadowy claws off before they even got close. The blade unfortunately did nothing more than stop the magical assault, it's edges glowing a radiant red from the vulgar energy it had just absorbed.

Conner brought his other hand out, the police badge he had shown Alley earlier coming to bear which made the creatures hiss. It's shadow turning into the visage of it's true from before their very eyes, wings spread out to encircle the room, and it's hunched over form with claws on both it's feet and extending from it's gnarled hands. It's true form could be called nothing less than monstrous, but the real sight was to be seen by it's vessel which twisted and howled in agony.

Conner's badge was now glowing a dim blue, but despite that cool color, Conner could feel the heat even as it seared into his hand which had him grimacing. "ALLEY, RUN!" Conner said loudly even as he could feel his hold over the demon slipping, and knowing their showdown was just moments away...

 

[black_howling]

Alley wanted to scream, but for some reason she simply knew it wouldn't do any good. She felt helpless, near frozen; but that was when she heard the creatures next rant, and her eyes came to rest on Conner. I didn't even know he entered... She thought as he bid her to the door, taking the white suited individuals attention from her.

A frustrated noise brushed past Alley's lips as she made a mad dash toward the door, but stared back over her shoulder before she opened it. For some reason, she didn't want to leave Conner alone with that thing. "Conner! Be careful..." She bid as she watched him pull his badge from his coat pocket, and somehow use it as a defense against what he called Nethys.

Alley didn't stall at his words a bit, and when he told her to leave she did just that. Opening the door wide, she ran barefoot into the hallways, noticing how the halls seemed far too quiet. She hated hospitals, and this little trip was only adding more fuel to that fire. I need to find something to help him with... She decided, and ran toward the end of the hall where she assumed the fire extinguisher, and fire axe would be.

Alley's feet burned as she skid to a stop before the glass, and using the knocker beside it, she bashed it in. It was then that she stalled, she didn't know how to use an axe; but maybe Conner would. Without thinking again, she grabbed up the weapon, but a voice entered the hallway before she could turn around with it. "Bad girl, Alley. You'll have to be punished for thinking about using that on poor nethys..." She very feminine voice called out with a near lustful pout that was followed by a series of wicked giggles.

Alley whipped around with the axe brandished before her, but when her eyes came to the redhead down the hall, something told her it would do no good. She was statuesque in build, clad in near obscene leather clothing, and with strange yellow eyes that almost felt like they could pierce into her soul. "Stay back!" She cried despite her fear, but it only maid the fiery haired woman laugh.

"Listen, grirl. I think you should drop that weapon before you irritate me." She said, and all of a sudden stepped forward to seemingly appear right before Alley's eyes. The brunette gasped in surprise at first, but had no time to lift her weapon before the red head gripped her by the hair, and threw her backwards. The axe dropped from her hand as she skidded on the ground, left looking at her attacker with fear.

Alley was desperate now as the woman laughed viciously, and stalked her way forward. Her mind was combing for something she could do, but there was nothing. And so when the obviously more powerful woman raised her hand as if to strike, Alley just raised her arms if they were a shield, and prayed that they would stop her. As if on cue, that was what seemed to happen.

Alley felt a warmth rush over her arms, and as the hand came near them, a green light shone forth and seemed to deflect the blow so thoroughly it made the bitch skid back with a yelp. "What the hell?" Alley gasped in surprise, and then the flutters of those symbols from earlier that night flashed through her mind. Was this what the man in white meant when he said forcing her will upon the world?

"Now you've done it! I'm mad..." The redhead broke Alley's train of thought with her words, stalking forward just as she was able to look up. She didn't know what she just did, but if she wanted to make it away from this bitch, she'd have to do it again. "You made me mad a while ago..." Alley warned, and rose in her hospital gown with her hands stiff at her sides.

The redhead seemed to think the gesture was funny, and laughed as if to ignore it as she rushed forward to slap the Brunette across the face. Alley didn't know what she was doing when she brought her hands up, but upon wishing that she could make the woman fly backwards, a large force rushed through the hallways that did just that. Rushing forth, it blew the cloth of her gown around her thighs, and lifted the redheaded bitch into the air, and sent her flying to the other end of the hallway.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner could feel the skin of his palm peeling away from the muscle in his hand, as the badge began to melt slowly. Heat began to build up in the room, and it wasn't but a few second and sweat was beading down his form. Nethys for his part was wailing into the air, as he twisted in place, and dug at his own skin. On a lesser demon, the creature would have been bolted from it's vessel, but Nethys was no normal demon and he was in no normal vessel.

The guardian knew it was only a matter of time, once the badge in his hand no longer held the shape of a shield, it would lose it's power. It wasn't so much that the item had any magic in it, but Conner believed that a shield could protect him, and thus it could. It was no different than if a true man of the cloth held up a cross, his conviction in god would have led him to the same protection from a demon, the belief had to be there however.

He could tell he had drenched the shirt under his sweater, and could look at the hand that was holding the badge and know it was going to take hours to heal. He was just trying to buy Alley a little more time, he knew he didn't have any weapon that could beat Nethys, and so escape was their only option. It was at that point that Nethys arched his back and wailed out, which made the badge spark in a dim blue light before simply melting away from the leather it was pinned to.

Even Conner had his jaw agape, he had known Nethys was powerful, but never had he thought the demon was capable of that. "Heheheha. You didn't think that would hold me forever, did you?" The demon once again spoke, and the unearthly voice could be heard in both his mind and his ears. Conner gritted his teeth, but did not reply as he backed towards the door, it was now time to make his escape.

Nethys didn't plan to let it end like that however, and the creature in the white suit conjured a ball of fire to his hand. "Where do you think you're going, Conner?" Nethys asked Conner with disdain, but once again the guardian did not reply. Nethys shook his head as if saddened by this. "Very well; have it your way." Nethys said in a deadly tone, before slinging the ball of flame towards Conner.

The fire sprung forth, and enlarged quicker than any physicist would have said was possible, to a size large enough to engulf the doorway. Conner threw himself out the door, and felt his boots squeak on the tile floor as he skidded into the wall across from Alley's room. His palm found a hold on the wall enough to push him down the hallway, and luckily for him towards Secretia who was just rising up to face off against, Alley?

Conner didn't take too much time trying to figure out what was going on as the fire that ate right through the doorway, kept growing in size as it bounced not unlike Conner had, off the wall and down the hallway as if following the guardian. "We're leaving, Alley!" He said loudly as the dagger that was still glowing red hot in his right hand extended to the size of a long silver sword. His feet continued to carry him down the hallway, which Secretia didn't seem willing to let happen for long.

Her foot flew out in a deft spin just off the ground trying to trip him, but unfortunately for her, he was quicker than a lowly demon like herself. He hoped over the catlike kick, and brought the sword down over her thigh. The hallway behind him was a fiery inferno as he severed Secretia's vessel's leg at the thigh, and kept moving. As he got closer to Alley, the sword warped back into a dagger, and with a slight twist of his wrist the blade disappeared up his sleeve.

He reached his left hand to wrap around Alley's waist, knowing at this time she couldn't survive the fire that now chased him, and he hauled her off her feet with an ease that could only be called inhuman. "HOLD ON!" He yelled to her as the fire was engulfing everything behind him, and the shear volume of noise the immolation was causing was threating to drown out all other sound. His right hand reached into his jacket, where he retrieved his gun.

As he darted down the hall he could feel his feet fall less evenly due to Alley's weight, but he managed okay, even as he turned at the end of the hallway where as he had figured a window was shut. The fire alarms were thankfully going off, even before the fire had started, conner figured the fire ax laying on the floor had something to do with that. Conner raised the gun and fired three times, shattering the window.

It was only seconds after the window shattered that he made a leap, that brought them both out the window, and he could feel Alley's finger nails digging into his shoulder as they feel to the street below. Conner let go of his gun to wrap his other hand around Alley, to shield her from the fall even as the fire soared from the window. Conner made sure he braced her neck and back as the jolt of the sudden stop from falling such a great distance had the potential to break every bone in her body, even with him holding her.

Windows busted out from that floor of the hospital, and even building around the hospital had window implode from the force of the immolation. Conner felt the shock off the fall as he landed on the concrete of the alley below, run up his legs and even up his back. Both arms were wrapped tight around the dark haired girl in his arms for a few seconds after that, until he felt her breath, which caused him to let out a sigh of relief. "Are you okay?" He asked sincerely, before looking around to get his bearing.

 

[black_howling]

Alley could feel a power building inside her as she panted, watching while the redhead down the hall began to scramble to her feet. Energy was building, and it was beginning to make her light headed despite the the fact of what was going on. Something interesting came to her eyes, though; It was Conner bouncing down the hallway with a blade brandished, and running from a massive ball of flame. This just keeps getting weirder!

The thought was apt, and adding more faint to Alley's mind was the gore she witnessed as Conner made that dagger into a sword, and sliced the read headed bitch's leg off at the thigh. Her stomach churned, and she winced, feeling that energy nearing a bursting point, almost like a crescendo that threatened to tear her apart. That didn't happen though, Conner took her in his arms as he ran before it could.

It happened so fast from there that Alley could not keep track of it. All she felt was whipping back and forth until shots from a gun were fired, and they dashed out the window with air rushing around her. If it wasn't from the force of the wind, she might have had her ears hurt by the explosion above; but as it was she could not hear. It was as they were falling that the energy spiked once again, and she felt it rush to her head, pushing the air from her lungs into a scream.

Lights filled her mind, and Alley began a journey through a past that was not her own. She seen things quicker then she could take them in. Practices, killings; magic. It was too much to bear, and she thought with how fast the images were moving that she was gonna faint. They sped up despite her worries, and by the time she felt the shock of the landing, she had symbols radiating in her head so fast that she was literally lolling helplessly in Conner's arms.

Alley felt her body jerk slightly, hearing Conner's words, but losing them in the middle of the war of lights going on in her mind. Then it was like a snap that finished it, and her back arched in pain as she hissed out a blue light, her eyes shining with a radiance before all the energy rushed back inside her. Pants came from her lips after that, her eyes opening back up as she realized the worst of it was finally over.

The energy still tickled at the back of her mind, but that wasn't a worry compared to the look on Conner's face. "I'm sorry...." She muttered breathlessly as she stared at him, but then her head shook from side to side. "We need to go, don't we? I don't know if I can run in this." She said, tugging at the hospital gown and thinking of how her feet were going to fair on rough pavement.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner eyes widened as the blue aura surrounded Alley's form, and then the heat from her awakening exuded out filling the area with warmth. So, you were right... Conner thought looking up to the window they had just jumped from, and seen the red and orange inside the building. He then felt Alley jerk, and held her tightly as the final energies flowed through her.

Her body convulsed in his arms, and then her back arched. She gasp out as blue energy flowed from her lips, and Conner couldn't help but look down at her worriedly. She apologized, though for what he wasn't sure, and then started saying they needed to get out of there. Not a bad idea. Conner thought with a tilt of his head, before shaking it.

"No worries, Alley." Conner said, as he carried her to the rear of the building even as emergency vehicles could be heard coming down the street. As he circled around the building he came into sight of his car, which was just a black sedan, or so it appeared. "Get in, I'll take you to my place for now. I think we need to talk..." Conner said calmly, though very seriously as he sat her down next to the passenger side of his car.

He brought his keys from the pocket of his coat, and clicked a button which opened the car doors. "Go on." He said flatly as he slid into the driver seat, and slide the key into the ignition. As he turned the engine over, and waited for her to get into the car, he couldn't help but think on how this had eluded him for so long.

Now there is only mystery left. He thought about the fact that lightning hadn't killed her, and that Nethys had taken such an interest in her. More useful. He recalled Nethys saying of the dark haired girl...

 

[black_howling]

Alley let out a yelp as he started to carry her, not out of pain; but out of surprise. As they circled the building, she finally got the head about her to give him a nod as if she understood. She wasted no time when he set her down, quickly getting into motion as she padded her bare feet around, and hopped into the passenger seat of the car. "Yeah, I think we have more then a little to talk about. She said, though with worry not anger...

She felt more secure when the ignition was turned over, and sighed buckling her seat belt as he took off. The way he was driving would have normally scared her, but right now she was just glad to be getting further and further away from whatever was back there. It was then that she thought more on what she was still wearing. I hope he has some clothes for me... She thought as she tugged lightly at the garment again, bringing her eyes back to Conner.

He seemed like he was concentrating to Alley, but she couldn't say for sure if it was deep thought or determination for something. He always seemed so driven to her, so it was hard to tell. "So, how long is it till we get to your place?" She asked as she turned her head to stare his way, letting her eyes linger on him for a few moments. Strange as it was, she wasn't nearly as freaked out by this all anymore. Maybe his calm was rubbing off on her.

Leaning back, Alley sighed as she took her eyes back to the road. "Sorry if I sound impatient, I just have a lot of questions..." She said more softly as she sank back into the seat of the car, her mind still spinning with what all had happened. Sure, it no longer had her head whirling in fear, but that didn't mean she wasn't still overwhelmed by it all. Those things she saw in her dream, they were just hard to believe. Magic, spells; demons?

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner looked to her as she agreed with him, and then turned to look ahead. More than you know... He thought gravely of the world she had just walked into when she stepped into that train car, and in all truth would never be able to leave. Conner just shut his door, pulled the car out away from the hospital and into the main roads.

The drive was typical of Conner, as he thought on what he was gonna do about her. Alley wasn't the first person he had been forced to introduce into this world, but she was unique in the fact that a demon of Nethys's power had gotten involved. If only I had seen this in the train... Conner lamented his lack of foresight, as the sedan sped down the streets.

It was once again Alley, who brought him from his thoughts with her questions. "It won't take long in this traffic, but if you are feeling impatient, go ahead and ask any questions you might have." Conner told her, though knew some questions were more easily answered when he wasn't speeding down main streets like a dart in the night.

He looked over to her then, taking his eyes off the road for a second to simply admire her. The second was fleeting however as he all but intuitively knew the drive required too much of his attention with everything else that was running over his mind. "Some questions will be easier to answer once we are at my place, but any questions I can answer her; I will." He said calmly as he shifted the gear, and turned down a less busy road.

 

[black_howling]

Alley listened to him as she folded her hands in her lap, literally feeling like the world had just fell upon her. Fear had been replaced by a feeling of weight, a burden she now bared with this new gift bestowed upon her. But was it a gift, or a curse? Probably both... She thought dryly, and turned to stare at him as she forced a smile to her lips. "It's just, I have a lot on my mind. What I seen just earlier; it was unreal..." She said, voice barely above a whisper as she was still in shock from the images.

Again, they played a little flash by in her mind until she had to force them away. No, Alley was determined not to let it rule her. "You're right though, most will be easier when we aren't speeding down busy streets." She mused with a slight giggle, keeping her eyes off the road to avoid seeing how fast they were flying down the pavement. She might have had much bigger things on her mind, but the way he was driving still scared the shit out of her.

Deciding she could ask just a few question, Alley brought her eyes back over to him. He was still focused on driving, so she let the simple questions flow from her lips. "You know what I saw earlier; don't you?" She knew it was an odd one to ask, but it was perhaps the one that scared her the most. Swallowing from fear, she leaned back in the seat as her fingers dug into the material of it, keeping any woozy nervousness from taking over.

It was just seconds after her initial question, and Alley piped off again. This time, it was far easier a question to ask. "And what I seen back there, what I did to that woman in the hallway. That was- magic; wasn't it?" She asked with a shiver over her spine, but it was then she seen that her words were played out too long. It seemed they were beginning to drive into a residential area of sorts, or at-least a place that held some condos and apartment complexes in it.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner chuckled slightly at her comment on him speeding through traffic, though anyone who knew him for long learned to deal with it. She might make it through to be one of the better of her kind; but if she crosses over... His thought went from hopeful to dark in a flash as his mind tried to wrap around what else she was capable of, besides being a mage. Just that feat was amazing, but if she could do things that even mages couldn't, it could cause a lot of disruption in the world.

Conner had also never put to rest his theory that mages could become demons with the right trigger, but the order dismissed such ideas and urged him to not antagonize fellow members with such thoughts. It was at that point in his train of thought that she asked her first, of what was no doubt to be many questions. He looked to her grimly as he slowed the sedan while turning into the residential area he and many other members of the order lived in.

"If you mean the creature that materialized before your bed, and was seemingly immune to every weapon you could have brought to bear, including the power you now have at your disposal, then unfortunately; yes I do." He left her with that as he turned once more, and drove a ways further to see a man outside watering his lawn in the middle of the night.

He looked back to Alley, after a few seconds of driving. "However, if you meant the images, and memories running through you mind, body, and soul even as we speak, then no. I could not possibly understand what you are going through." His words were grim at best, and downright depressing at worst, but he wasn't going to candy coat this for her, it wouldn't do anyone any good.

"As for what you did in the hall with that redhead." He said in clear tones to grab her attention before she went too deep in thought, and looked over to her as he pulled into a driveway, and parked the sedan under a carport. "I don't know what happened in that hallway, but I can guarantee, what ever you did was crude, and unpracticed. Once you know more of what you are doing, what you did there will seem like such a crude etch work, to the masterpieces you will be capable of." He told her in as simple a way as he could, but even with all the centuries he had lived around magic, he did not fully understand it.

 

[black_howling]

Alley sighed at first, her mind wobbling a little at how he answered her questions. She wasn't sure why he'd taken such a grim tone with her, but as of now she was unsure as to how she should respond. So she didn't. She just leaned back in the chair, turning her attention to the scenery outside the car as they passed it by. Things seemed strange in this area, there were people watering lawns and tending about things while it was nearly three in the morning.

That brought yet another sigh to her lips, and a frown formed as Conner pulled them into the carport. His words hadn't gotten any less dark, and she turned her attention back to him as a thought crossed her mind. "You don't like magic, do you?" She asked somewhat bluntly. She was not trying to break up the important questions, but she was starting to get this vibe as if she was something he hated.

Alley knew better though, so she just shook her head. "Forget I said that, I just keep getting this strange feeling." She said as she opened the car door, and stepped back out into the night air. It felt good against her skin, the wind just passing trough her hospital gown like it wasn't even there. She knew this wasn't the time to be simply enjoying such things, so she turned toward her dashing escort as she stepped carefully toward his door.

Alley's feet were only stinging lightly thus far, and she stared his way with a weak smile. "Do you have a way I can get some clothes and shoes? I'd hate to be stuck in this the whole time we're here." She said with a soft giggle, though she could feel the weariness seeping into her. The day had started off early for her, and only after the shock was wearing down did she sense how tired she really was.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner turned to her as she blurted out her thoughts, and smiled slightly. At least she's perceptive, that will serve her well in the coming days. He thought, even as she waved off the question, but he simply smiled at her, not bothering to say anything back to that. It might have been seen as an admittance, but that wasn't what was important right now.

He stepped from the car about the same time she had, but his door shut more quickly. Conner then headed to his front door, while looking through the keys on his ring he clicked the button to lock his car doors. It was well before he had found his key, that she asked another question. Well, that is a problem. Conner realized he hadn't even thought about that yet, it wasn't normally an issue.

He turned back to her, with a slight smile. "We'll get you something, tomorrow. Until then, I'll have to check and see if I have something that will work." Conner said calmly, and with only slight amusement. He had learned a long time ago to hold onto every moment of nice, even the amusing ones. In his long life, it seemed to him that sorrow always outweighed the joy in life.

"Come on, Alley. You're exhausted; and need your rest." He said to her directly, before finding the key, and opening the door to his house. It wasn't the largest house on the block, but it was one of the more well kept. The only thing that seemed in the least bit odd, was all the medieval weapons, and renaissance artwork hanging on the walls. It was almost like walking into a mini museum, except that only the weapons were originals.

He walked forward and turned on some of the lights, illuminating the living room and the halls as he went down the hall just inside the door to get to his room. Now, let's see if I have anything that will work. He thought leaving Alley to do as she pleased in his living room or to simply follow him into his bedroom. Once in his room, he began looking through his dressers, and closet for anything that would do for an overnight stay.

 

[black_howling]

Alley smiled softly as he spoke of getting her something to wear come tomorrow. She wanted it now of course, but given the circumstances she could understand the wait. His second words were not taken to so kindly, and while she walked on inside behind him; she knew she'd have to refute it. "I'm not that tired. I'm fine..." She said, though realized how unconvincing it was as she yawned right after.

"Okay, so maybe I am a little tired." She admitted with a sigh as he walked off toward another room, but it was just then that her eyes began to trail around. Is this his house, or a thieves treasure den?" She wondered with wides eyes staring about the collection. Wondrous, she knew it couldn't all be real. Stepping forward to one of the blades on the wall, she reached out and ran her finger across the smooth of the the polished steel.

It was sleek, well made, purely steel and- ouch! Alley's train of thought broke as her finger nicked the sharp edge, causing the tip to swell with more blood then she thought it should of. She brought the finger quick to her lips, and sucked it softly to stop the bleeding. It wasn't too hard for her, but that didn't stop her from evil eying the blade as if it had somehow tried to do what it did. "I'll be watching you..."

The mock warning was more for Alley's laughter then anything else, still she did wonder. Those wonders were cut short when the footfalls sounded down the hall, and she turned back toward them with a curious glance. Was he coming back her way? "Hey, I meant to ask you. Am I taking the couch, or a guest room?" She questioned in a slightly raised voice, not sure just how far he was, and unwilling to tread freely through a strangers home.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner looked about his room, which was about as well kept as the rest of his house, except for the slight dash of paranormal paraphernalia. One distinct item was a silver pentagram that seemed engraved upon the headboard his oaken bed frame, it was item he prized for more than most of his other enchanted trinkets, but more so tonight than was normal. As he was looking through his closet, it seemed the best he was going to find was one of his shirts that would barely go down farther than the hospital gown.

A frown crossed his lips, when he moved a few jackets out of the way to reveal a box, it wasn't just a cardboard box like most people would have left old cloths in, it was a well made wooden chest with a silver frame. How could I have forgotten about this? He thought while shaking his head, and reaching down to pull the heavy chest from the closet.

As he sat it down he heard Alley say something in the other room, though he couldn't tell what it was, it sounded as if she was cursing. Oh, what now...? Conner thought as he raised from the chest which he had laid down at the foot of his bed, and turned to walk back into the living room to see what she had gotten herself into.

As he walked into the sitting room, he seen Alley turning to face him, even as she asked a question that made Conner smile. He was about to answer, when he looked past her at a sword she had obviously been messing with. What stood out was the fact that it was slightly titled in it's mount, which made him tilt his head. She cut her self, silly girl. He thought, before walking up to her and taking her hand into his to look at them.

It didn't take too much of an inspection to find the small slice in her forefinger that had been inflicted by the sword, which made him shake his head in amusement. "We'll talk about that while we doctor this up. You have enough issues to deal with; let's not add an infection." He spoke to her calmly, and even had a little of his amusement peaking out in his voice.

He turned from her releasing her hands as he did so to go into his kitchen, where a bit of more occult art could be seen, not only on the walls but also on his dinning table. He walked over to a cabinet, and pulled a first aid kit before moving over to sit at the table. "Have a seat, Alley." He bid her, as he pulled a chair out for himself and sat down in it, pulling out the items he would need to doctor her finger.

 

[black_howling]

Alley was taken completely by surprise as Conner walked up to her, and snatched her hand into his. It was strange how he brought it up to carefully inspect, it might have worried her had it not been for the near amused expression on his features. Though once he brushed her question off in favor of antiseptic, she did get a little worried.

Blinking as he moved her along into the kitchen, she smiled sheepishly as she moved to sit where he bid her. Glancing up while he readied what he needed to doctor her finger, she could not help but question him. "The way you moved me in here says you have something to tell me that I'm not gonna like." She stated bluntly, not her usual approach; but it seemed with Conner that was about the only she could take.

Her eyes glanced at him from a side long view, the sort a woman gave a man when she was playfully suspicious. It wasn't like she had anything to be playful about, so to speak; but that didn't stop the girl in her from coming out any. "What are you worried about?" She asked as she offered her finger for him to take care of, though there was a bit of a pout to her lips at the secrecy. She didn't know why, but she kinda liked jesting with him.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner worked over a bandage with a little mixture he preferred for keeping out infection, and then sat it down with some medical tape. He listened to her all but mock worry as he filled a small bowl with a few liquids and powders to clean out the small wound, and then smiled again as she offered her finger to him. His smile slowly lowered as he took her hand, and dipped it into the bowl of herbs and antiseptics that would surely create a feeling of burning to the open wound.

He held her hand sternly so that it didn't jerk away, as would be the natural instinct. "You've seen what Nethys is capable of, and don't need to be warned that he could show up anywhere, at anytime." He said as he seen the mixture in the bowl bubble up around her finger, which was the expected result. He sighed slightly, before pulling her finger from the bowl and drying it with a paper towel.

"I only have one item in my entire house that is active at all times of the day, and is powerful enough to protect us from Nethys." He again went on while going about wrapping her finger in the bandage, before applying medical tape to it. Conner ignored any whimpers or jerks of her hand, just making sure to maintain his grip on her wrist so that she couldn't squirm away.

"An emblem on my headboard is that item, meaning that any occupants of my bed are kept safe from demonic and other activity. There; finished." He said as he let go of her wrist, and smiled up to her. "I have a guest room and you could always take the couch if that is what you really want, but the safest place this night is in my bed." He said to her grimly, a serious expression caste over his features.

 

[black_howling]

Alley stopped feeling quite as playful with how he started the sentence, already feeling like this was something she didn't want to hear. Every word he said made sense, she knew better then to doubt what she'd seen of that thing. It radiated power, seemed almost invincible with how it toyed so carelessly with her.

Despite the fear creeping into her soul, comfort washed over her as he mentioned having a defense against the creature. She had certainly winced and whimpered a little as he doctored her finger, but most of her attention was being absorbed by the words he was speaking.

Alley certainly blushed when he mentioned his bedroom, and her eyes cast to the side a bit. After everything he had said, she wasn't about to think the man was trying to get her in bed. Still, it was a thought that would have popped in any girl's mind, especially in the face of such an attractive man. "I don't know..."

Alley nearly winced at her own indecision, why was she even questioning it? With a sigh, she nodded toward him. "Sorry, I was being childish. I understand." She said, planting a warming smile on her lips in hopes that it would wash away any awkwardness she might have left behind with her words. Sometimes, as much as she liked to think otherwise; she was still such a child.