Chapters 1-7
The Awakening
I groan against consciousness as crimson light flares across my eyelids. There is a sound I cannot place, though I find it soothing. I open my eyes and feel a jolt of fear as I realize...I have no idea where I am! Looking around, the walls of the room are marbled and elegant. The furniture appears antique. There are large round widows across from the bed; with stained glass panels on hinges that swing outward, they are open. Black velvet curtains drawn back.
Standing and crossing to the window; a warm, soft breeze washes over me. Light glints off water from a beach; waves lapping against the shore just yards away. The scene reminds me of a fairytale. The water is so blue and clear I can see the ocean floor. The sand white, with tiny specs of color. The sun is high in the sky yet. I shake myself, pulling my attention back to my main concern; nothing I am seeing tells me where I am or how I got here.
Turning I start scanning the room in more detail. Ahead is the bed with its antique metal frame. It is outfitted in rich purple silk and large fluffy pillows. To my right is an ornately engraved metal door with a curved handle. Depicted are runes I've never seen before surrounding a strange symbol engraved delicately into the metal. I walk over and try the handle, my heart sinks as it only jiggles in my hand.
"Fuck." I curse to myself softly.
Crossing to the window again, I look down trying to judge if I can jump. The edge of the window stands 50 feet above the ground. The walls of the building are a grey stone flecked with black mica. There will be no jumping. Frustrated, I sit below the window, placing my head in my hands in anguish. A sense of doom settles around me and sobs fill the air as I cry.
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I jerk awake suddenly, disoriented. I realize there is a woman standing over me! I have only enough time to think,
"I must have cried myself to sleep."
The woman crouches faster than I can react and thrusts the end of a vial full of liquid in my mouth. Reflexively, I swallow tasting copper; my face scrunches and I gag. She then holds up a mirror silently showing me my own reflection.
The mirror flashes glinting like silver and is framed with shinning gemstones. Studying the girl in the mirror; in shock I forget my surroundings. I reach out touching the mirror for she is not familiar. The girl is a pale porcelain doll, both beautiful and timeless. She has the kind of eyes women would die for, large and youthful. Irises sapphire blue and as clear as crystals. Dark tresses, curled into soft ringlets frame her angular face. Curls brush her shoulders as I shake my head in wonder. Starting with shock, I watch her eyes,
"No..." I whisper.
"Your eyes." A lilting voice whispers in my head.
I stare harder swearing I must be seeing things.
I could have swore I saw...
The mirror clatters to the floor with a loud clang as my ears roar and darkness swallows me again.
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The first thing I notice when I next awake is scent, something near me smells delicious! I slowly open my eyes and peek around me. I sit up, realizing I am still in the room. Now there is a table in the center where there wasn't before. Sliding out of the bed with no memory of getting back into it, I approach the table. On it is a mirror, a goblet full of ruby colored liquid and a note. The note reads;
"Drink when hungry.
Don't be alarmed by your reflection.
I'll return after darkness falls."
—Kisses,
Ava
Picking up the mirror as curiosity courses through me, I gasp. The same girl shines back at me from before. Memory returns to me of her eyes glowing with amethyst fire. My reflection stiffens with shock.
"My eyes look normal now..."
In confusion I blink, just to make sure. Nope. Still blue. Studying my reflection closer, I smile and jerk almost dropping the mirror. The eye teeth on my top jaw are now small fangs!My tongue flicks over them curiously and I nick the skin slightly. The wound heals itself so fast I don't even bleed! Running my fingers over my ears I feel the ends taper to a point and my hands start to shake. Strange lettering appears and disappears at random in many colors over my fair skin. The only thing that seems to have remained the same is my long, raven-black hair and the sapphire blue of my eyes.
My stomach growls distracting me and almost against my will I sniff the air again. I find myself leaning closer to the goblet and it dawns on me that this is where the smell is coming from! I try to resist but soon I can think of nothing else. Retreating, I slide my back against the wall beneath the window. I stand and lean out the window desperately trying to smell something else; anything else but to no avail, the smell still assails me. I curse softly, and start to pace.
Without knowing how, I'm standing at the table holding the goblet in my hands. I stare into the dark red liquid, feeling the cool metal of the silver goblet beneath my fingers; gingerly I bring it to my lips. I intend only a sip, but as the liquid touches my throat I groan softly!
🔹🔷Euphoria.🔷🔹
My senses intensify. I can see dust motes in the air around me. Patches of light in different colors flash in and out in the air like lightning. The lights smell like familiar and unfamiliar things: grass, campfires, incense, rain, and other smells I can't place. I can hear whispers, nothing in any language I understand.
Nothing though, compares to the taste. I can't even begin to accurately describe it. The best I can offer is it is like all my favorite foods and a five course meal, one taste after another.
Before long, the cup is empty and I'm left wanting more but I'm no longer hungry. I try to remember why I should be afraid, why I should be cautious, but my mind is suddenly hazy. I lay back down in the bed and fall into slumber.
I don't sleep long, for when I wake it is just passing twilight. Memory returns and sitting up, I tense. The woman will be coming! I sniff the air but I don't detect anything new yet. My ears prick though with the sound of footsteps which are still far off. Twenty minutes tick by on my internal clock which is almost never wrong. Her scent begins to reach me. It is subtle, but unlike anything I have ever smelled. I sniff trying to identify scents; coconut, patchouli, and palo santo. There is also something else; a musky, wild, smell I can't place. Lost in my thoughts, the knob on my door jiggles and the lock clicks. The door swings inward, opening wide.
The woman glides through the door, this time I can see her clearly. She wears a cloak that looks velvety soft in bright emerald around slender shoulders. Her hair, thick and curly, is auburn. It seems to glow with an eerie fire. Her skin, snowy white like mine, flashes with the same script rainbows. It is her eyes, though, that hold my attention. Infinite age, Soulful depth and wild raw power look at me appraisingly through amethyst stained glass. I am instantly, hopelessly, captivated.
"Who are you?" I asked breathlessly.
Her voice is lilting and flowing like the winds as she replies,
"Your Salvation."
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Bound
I bolt upright in bed, what a strange and disconcerting dream! Reflexively I reach for my glasses on the nightstand beside me, this room feels familiar. The memories slip from my grasp like sand through fingers. The world around me blurs. I quickly remove my glasses; thinking they must be dirty only to discover that I can see perfectly without them! My heart begins to pound; it's dark in the room but I can see clearly. There is a dresser across from me, a vanity mirror behind it. My reflection in it shows my eyes are aglow with amethyst fire. They remind me of an animals eyes caught in headlights in the middle of the night.
"Fuck!" I check my ears next,
"Yup." still pointed,
"Fuck! Not a dream at all." Sighing softly, my ears twitch as a new sound reaches me from somewhere within the building. Silently, I climb out of bed and assume a defensive crouch low to the floor. Listening intently, a hiss escapes my lips; senses alert for danger. Moving stealthily through the doorway, I creep down the hallway. There is a strange blue light coming from a room at the far end of the hall! It's glow flickers and shifts like a flame.
Creeping forward I find a living room and see the light is coming from a marble fireplace. The blue flames flicker softly, not seeming to burn the wood they nest in. Strangely I am drawn forward as if in a trance. I can not control my body. Hard as I try, I cannot run.
"No, wait, please!"
My mind pleads to no avail. My hand reaches for the fire.
The flames are cool against my skin as I reach my hand into the fire's core. My fingers brush something hard and cold, it pulses against my palm and searing pain rips through me! My screams echo against the ceiling, then everything goes dark.
Groaning, I am roused by a soft clicking noise near my head. Something rough and warm nudges my face. A strange insistent pressure presses against my mind; I open my eyes. Instinct kicks in and I find myself in a defensive crouch as an inhuman, snarling-growl erupts from my chest and past my teeth! There in front of me is the strangest creature I have ever seen!
It looks at me with the same shinning Amethyst bright eyes. It is reptilian yet soft and graceful, with small spiral antlers on its brow. Wings are tucked against its body, still drying. The creature is no larger than a fully grown house cat; from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail. Its scales are a deep purple, shimmering with a quiet inner brilliance. A small whip-like tail twitches back and forth lazily as it surveys me with a burning curiosity. Towards its tails base, there are long fin-like spikes that end at its shoulder blades. It lets out a short pealing sound and a feeling of hunger enters my senses. Wondering for a moment what it eats, I lead it to the kitchen.
"Come," I speak to it softly.
The creature follows me as I go through a doorway off the left side of the living room and turn on the light. The cold of the freezer brushes across my skin as I pull out a steak. The creature raises it's head with interest.
"What are you?" The thought comes unbidden.
A small trill sounds behind me making me jump as the creature cocks it's head at me as if it wants to answer. I pop the steak in the microwave and hit defrost, chuckling softly. When it beeps I take the steak out and chop it into small chunks. I place them on a plate which I set on the floor and step back.
The creature scoops the meat up ravenously. Smiling I reach out, stroking its flank gently. The scales are tough but smooth under my fingers, edges sharp enough to split hairs. They are warm with rich heat.
"What are you?..." Wondering amazement in my voice.
Suddenly I feel like my throat is on fire! Torturous burning, searing pain bites like razors into my flesh. I gasp and the creature cocks it's head at me pealing again alarmed by my sudden change in emotion.
"The sink! Oh please let this work!"
Desperately I thrust my head under the faucet. I drink and drink but it does nothing to soothe me. Pain escapes my lips, crying futilely.
I grab a coat from the kitchen chair and go outside. I listen as if for the first time to the night. The crickets' chirping is overwhelmingly loud. The sound of cars on a highway somewhere in the distance. People talking softly in their homes around me. The rustle of leaves as the wind blows first in one direction then the other. Twilight throws my surroundings into soft relief, although the hour is much later. I sense concern through my connection to the creature, and a desire to follow me. I press upon it the need to stay put and walk faster not sure where I'm going.
I come upon a gas station listening keenly to the people in the parking lot behind it.
"No! Please don't!" A woman's voice pleading reaches me.
Sticking to the shadows I come up behind the building still listening, watching. I see the woman, back pressed against the building pinned as a man advances towards her, greedy hands outstretched.
I sniff the air and his stench reaches me. He smells of alcohol and grime. Trying not gag I cover my nose. The burning intensifies. The man converges on the woman grabbing her roughly and covering her mouth as she screams into his hand. His fetid breath coming in ragged huffs.
I react on instinct and one second I am standing still; the next my hands are on his shoulders pulling him off of her. My nails dig into his clothes and pierce through them like butter. Skin crunches beneath my fingers and the wetness of blood runs down my hands. The scent hits me, heady and delicious. This smells even better than the ruby liquid from the goblet. Need courses through me and my throat burns white hot.
Faintly her scream rings in my ears as my teeth pierce his throat and I gulp wildly. A snarling hiss escapes my lips from around his throat. I drink until I can get no more from him and he falls to the ground with a loud *thump* I blink disorientedly.
I look up and she's staring at me wide-eyed in horror. Acting on impulse, suddenly my hand is over her mouth as I look her dead in the eyes and whisper,
"Don't scream or I'll have to hurt you. I'd rather not seeing as I just saved your life."
She looks at me and I see she's terrified but she nods in assent. Slowly I lower my hand from her face and step back a step.
"I'm sorry you had to see that." I say gently.
"W-what a-are y-you?" She stumbles over the words.
I close my eyes asking myself the same question. Sigh.
"A Monster, I guess," I say in resignation.
"What do you want from me?" She squeaked.
Looking at her, I consider how best to answer....
"Your silence," I say with finality.
Reaching out with my mind I take away the memories of our unfortunate meeting, plucking them from her mind like insects, I crush them to dust. I leave her to collect herself and go home. She looks dazed and lost, like a ghost or shadow of herself. Pondering my situation on the way back to the house, I wonder in just how many ways my life is about to change.
"Ah, Fuck!"
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A Creature Named Iris
Much time has passed because the chirping of birds fills my ears as the house comes into view at the end of the road. My step quickens as I am sure my appearance would startle most anyone who sees me. I can't risk being seen.
The creature pounces on me as soon as I walk inside. Petting it absently my attention turns to some mail sitting on the table.
My eyes zero in like binoculars and focus on the writing on an envelope on top of the rest. The address says:
5742 Palm Drive, Piconi, NY.
Guess that must be where I am, though I'm not sure how I got here. It's addressed to a woman named Nikko Sparks.
"Is that MY name?" Thinking to myself; wishing, and frustrated that I can't remember. Something then catches my attention, with a jolt of unpleasant surprise, I notice the name of the person who sent the letter is Ava Star!!
"Ava!?!?" Gasping and startled my fingers tear the envelope open, hands trembling. Inside I find a small note which reads:
"Travel by moonlight.
Keep your new pet safe at all costs.
Many will seek to destroy you both if one falls so shall the other.
Seek refuge in places marked thus...
-Kisses, Ava"
Depicted is the same symbol I saw before on the metal door of the strange tower! Flipping the note over, thinking there has to be more than that piss poor instruction and hissing in frustration.
"Nope. Blank." I sigh, suddenly tired.
The creature who is at my heels grumbles feeling my emotions. Kneeling down I scratch between its horns soothingly.
"It'll be okay little one." Reassuring notes in my voice seem to make it relax again. I tilt my head and lift the creature gently into my lap. Checking discretely between its legs disappointment floods me as there is nothing to indicate gender.
"How am I supposed to give you a name if I can't tell if you're a boy or a girl?" I ask it exasperatedly.
The creature cocks it's head at me and chirps sharply.
"I've got an idea!" Hope sparks in my chest.
"How about one chirp for yes and two for no? Can you do that?" I try holding my breath.
The creature chirps once excitedly.
"So are you a boy?" Two chirps.
"So you're a girl?" One chirp.
"Okay let me think..."
"Hmmm..."
"What shall I call you...?" Musing softly, thinking.
"What about...Amethyst?" Two chirps.
"Hmm...picky aren't you?" The creature clucks softly sounding like laughter, making me smile.
"Alright then... Aurora?" Two chirps and a squeak.
"Okay, definitely not. Ummm..."
"Iris?" A single chirp followed by happy clicks and whistles. My heart melts as a peal of laughter which sounds like music escapes my throat.
"Iris it is then." Iris then jumps to the floor and hops around happily flapping her wings. I stand and look out the window the sun is rising over the horizon and feel sleepy finally as the first rays hit my skin. Yawning and stumbling toward the bedroom Iris follows close behind. I lay down wondering where in the heck I'm supposed to go next as I drift off to sleep.
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Gasping, heart racing, and suddenly awake; a loud resounding crack echoes through the entire house! Jumping to my feet I search for Iris as she comes running from under the bed and jumps into my arms appearing scared. This to me says it's time to go. I crouch low and pad quick, but silent through the house. Changing directions rapidly when I see that the loud crack is from what was the front door, its remains are strewn across the floor of the kitchen. In the entryway, I catch a glimpse of what caused the damage and fear runs down my spine. It looks like something out of a nightmare! It has a large gnashing mouth with rows of sharp teeth, a large central eye with several tendrils each tipped with more eyes and it seems to be searching for us! Whipping around in the other direction I run for the living room.
"Iris fly up the chimney!" I whisper urgently. Feeling her worry and reluctance to leave me emanating through our link.
"Just go!" I urge, "I'll be right behind you!"
Iris nods once and flies up the chimney. I boost myself up by standing on the still untouched wood in the hearth and start the slow ascent up the chimney after her. It takes serval breathless minutes to reach the top and I pull myself out carefully onto the roof and scan for a quick way down.
The sun is setting on the horizon and there is a tree with branches that are just shy of the roof; I try to judge mentally if they will hold my weight. Deciding they will, I run the length of the roof and jump to the tree digging my nails into the bark. Jumping from branch to branch using my nails to anchor me and looking for the nearest tree to cover more distance quickly. I spot the nearest one a few feet away in the next yard and push off the branch hard with my legs jumping into its branches. Twice more.
Jump.
Jump.
My heart still pounding as I run out of trees. I slide down the trunk of the last tree using my nails to slow my decent. Landing soundlessly on the ground, I look around and start running through the yard. A high fence bars my way, bracing myself, I push off the ground hard with my legs. On the other side I see a few shops and I notice that one of them is a Gothic Victorian clothing store...thinking fast I walk to the door and twist the knob, hard. The mechanisms inside crack as they break and I push the door open, an alarms sounds as I dart inside. Scanning the room quickly to find what I'm looking for. A long hooded trench coat dangles on a rack at the far wall. For good measure, I also grab some leather gloves that are on display by the door. Putting the coat and gloves on quickly I dash back out the door as I hear sirens in the distance, coming closer. Climbing up the side of the building to the roof and I jump from roof to roof aimlessly, just trying to put distance between myself and the shop.
Several miles away, I stop on one such roof to catch my breath. Iris lands beside me her sides heaving. I look at her in concern.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry I had to make you fly so far." Speaking softly, voice heavy with guilt. She looks at me her eyes softening. Through our link I sense her trying to ease my worry, that she just needs to rest. My mind is whirring with everything that just happened.
"What was that thing back there?" More than a little shaken. Sitting down to rest for a few minutes.
"I need to come up with a plan...and with Iris I'm going to have to be careful." I muse silently. Iris walks up and nuzzles my hands with her snout as if to comfort me. Smiling at her absently.
Beginning to feel hungry; I sit and open my senses to the sounds around us. Listening intently, I hear the sound of glass shattering in the alley below. Standing I peer over the edge of the building to the ground, my eyes focus like those of a bird of prey and I see what appears to be a homeless man. He is staggering about with a broken beer bottle at his feet.
My throat begins to burn. I argue with myself internally, I don't want to hurt an innocent man but the pain in my throat presses me. It feels as if someone is ripping my throat to shreds from the inside out. Panting I try to lessen it with smaller breaths, though it has no effect. I can't think straight. My only thought is pain.
Pain.
Pain.
PAIN!
"No! I can't! Oh god make this stop!" My mind cries. I grip the edge of the roof so hard my nails dig into the metal of the gutter.
"It was one thing to kill that scum rapist but this poor guy didn't do anything wrong..." My knees buckle and I hit the roof.
"But when will another meal that no one will miss come your way? How long can you bear this pain?" A sick, snide voice counters in my head. Weeping in earnest I feel my resolve waiver and start to slip away.
"What have I become?" I drown in anguish...
"I really am a Monster."
"If you're already a Monster, you might as well..." The voice counters. Pushing myself reluctantly to my feet, gritting my teeth and hating myself. I climb onto the edge of the roof, Jumping to the ground. I land silently in the shadows near the homeless man. He has only a moment to register the glow of my eyes emanating from the shadows. It is the last thing he sees.
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Running, Despair, the light fading from his eyes...my mind plays it over and over in front of my eyes. I can't see. I don't know where I'm going. Anywhere to make me forget the ghosts in my head. Somehow I end up at a library and the strangest thing happens...I see the symbol above the door! The symbol from before!Impulse pulls me inside.
The air inside smells of old books and carpet freshener. There are two floors one for children and one for adults. Climbing the stairs to the adult floor; I open the door and step inside. Luckily no one seems to be here but me. Scanning books on the shelf I notice a lot of strange titles like "Ancient Magical Arts" and "A history of the Raknath Acolytes." Picking the latter up I flip through the pages and see more of the same script that flashes across my skin! This seems to be no ordinary library.
"Where in the world am I?" Feeling lost, I send for Iris to come inside. It seems safer since this place is not what it appears to be.
I feel like this place holds the answers I seek and decide I'm not leaving without some.
"I guess we will wait little one." Iris chirps in response and curls up at my feet.
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Raknath Society
Staring at the pages of the book unseeingly, frustration boils inside me that I can't understand the symbols. I don't know how long I stood there staring but it was long enough, because I didn't notice I was also being watched! Starting with surprise I look into violet eyes aglow in the shadows a few shelves away! A man steps forward into the light. His body is lithe and graceful like that of a panther. Hair brushes his shoulders, black and tightly curled into natural ringlets. His face is sculpted and his skin flashes much like mine, though his eyes are more of an icy blue. This man is the most gorgeous man I've ever seen!
Falling into a crouch automatically a hiss escapes my throat. Carefully the man steps back a step and holds up his hands in the,I-mean-you-no-harm, sort of way. Slowly I stand and ask softly
"What is happening to me?" As my voice breaks. The man looks at me sympathetically.
"It's a long story." He sighs.
"Come, sit down, I'll get you some wine." He gestures to a high-backed chair by a fireplace at the back of the building and as I seat myself he disappears into a room to my left. Warming my fingers I wait and giggle as I watch Iris back herself up in front of the fireplace so that she's soaking up every last bit of warmth. The man returns with two wine flutes and a very old looking, dusty, bottle of wine.
"You, don't have company often", I remark dryly.
He ignores the remark and pours the wine handing me a glass. Sniffing, I realize it's infused with blood! Accusingly I stare hard at him.
"Hey, don't look at me like that it's bagged blood, not fresh!" He says defensively. Blinking dumbstruck and completely taken aback;
"Bagged?" He raises his eyebrow at me,
"Yes bagged, if you didn't figure that out, then how many bodies have you left behind?" He asks not unkindly but sharply. Blinking back a film of tears I whisper,
"Two." The word echoes in the air around us despite my tone. Iris perks her head up and chirps at me as if to ask if I'm okay. Nodding in her direction, she lays back down and closes her eyes again.
"I'm James." He says gently his tone filled with pity and regret.
"I'm Nikko." Comes my meek reply.
"Now why am I here? What happened to me?" My eyes lock onto his in desperation.
"Please just tell me." I ignore the wine, setting it down.
Sighing he sets down his glass and looks at me.
"You've been turned into an ancient race of vampire called the Raknath. Probably by someone higher up in the ranks of our society. They are really the only ones allowed to turn people." Speaking monotonously.
"We are Born with powers and companions," He gestures at Iris.
"If you are most unfortunate, like me, you end up here when your companion dies." He spoke this last part flatly, bitterly.
My voice soften as I whispered horrified
"You lost your....?"
"Yes. I lost him. He was a falcon. We were to the point our minds were like one when we were attacked by a beholder..." his voice broke and trailed off as I started and bounced to my feet!
"Wait, they are different creatures for each vampire?!?"
"Yes." His voice still soft.
"What's a beholder?" He stood and grabbed a nearby book off a shelf and handed it to me open to a middle page. On the page was the same strange creature that had ransacked my home that morning! My mouth opens and I press my lips together.
"This is the creature I was running from when I found this place!" My eyes wide as I look into his face.
"You don't think...?" I continue.
"It's possible." He said his mouth set in a grim line.
Perking up, sitting on the edge of my seat; I down my glass of wine in one gulp.
"Teach me what I need to know to go after this thing with you!"
"Let's get your Justice!" He stares wide eyed at me.
"Do you realize what you're asking?!?!?"
"You're asking me to teach you years worth of combat training and magic skills training in a matter of days... impossible." Ending on a flat note.
"If anyone can do it it's You, James." He sighs resigned.
"Fine. Let's get started." He stands and says
"Come." Leading my down into the basement.
Once downstairs I see that the basement is filled with combat equipment, armor, weapons, training dummies, you name it. I start to feel a bit more overwhelmed. James hands me a set of leather armor and tells me to put it all on even the gloves. Stripping off my coat and gloves I get to work putting the leather over my civilian clothes. James begins teaching me how to take a hit, and how to block an incoming strike. Training has begun.
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I continue to make progress over the next few days and Iris grows larger, she now is the size of a large dog. Our mental link grows stronger, til finally:
"Mistress Nikko, wake up! Master James says it's time for you to get up!" There is a rustling and much jumbling as my bed begins to shake violently. Groaning, I open my eyes and stare accusingly at my intruder, Iris is staring at me insistently.
"Did you just talk to me?" I blink at her confusedly.
"Yes", she nods impatiently,
"Now get up!" Still grumbling, I crawl out of bed and join James in the study. He is teaching me more about Beholder lore today!
"Okay! Today is the day! You've learned how to fight as best I can teach you, you've learned the basics of our magic and the costs, now I have but one thing left to teach you." James started.
"I'm ready." I said Solemnly.
"Beholders are powerful magical beasts, their central eye negates magic wherever it looks so avoid it, though I am not sure it will work on our magic. The other eyes can either disintegrate you, turn you to stone, cause you to be afraid, burn you, or lift you from the ground, avoid their eye beams at all costs!" James continues emphatically. I'm beginning to be a bit afraid I won't come out of this alive, but I have to trust in my training. Looking at James I relax,
"It's Time." I say with finality.
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"First we must replace me, I cannot leave the safe house unguarded." James whispers softly as we trace our way across town through the shadows. We come across a boy of myaybe 16-17 years old.
"He'll do." I said appraisingly. All the while I feel guilt at taking this poor kids life away from him as ours were taken from us; but it can't be helped. Sneaking up behind him I grab his mind with mine and hold him. James runs up and bites himself, thrusting the wound against the poor kids mouth as I will him to swallow. He swallows. As the kid changes James imbues him with all his knowledge and skills, it's a cheap move and will leave him a little confused. We are in a hurry though, otherwise we would not rush things so. I send him on his way to the library with instructions: stay and tend to things in James stead. I feel again, a twinge of guilt as I think of the boys mother waiting for him to come home later that night. He never shall again.
Fuck.
Next we trace our way back to my house: the last known location of the beholder. We arrive by dropping down the chimney. Crouching down we make our way toward the kitchen. Arriving we find it empty, I sniff the air I can still smell traces of the aberration, but they are faint. It had left here shortly after arriving, there were burn marks throughout the house where it had searched for Iris and I.
Following the trail of destruction, we are lead through thick woods at the back of the house where it tried and failed to follow us through the trees. (Having went in the opposite direction.) Eventually we end up at a cave deep in the thick of the trees and I get the ominous sense that this is our destination.
The entrance to the cave is much more vast than it first appeared to be. Within the mouth it must be fifty feet across and 100 feet tall. In the distance; the sound of dripping can be heard. The flutter and chirps of bats also reaches us, but otherwise it is suspiciously quiet. We delve deeper toward the center. It grows darker and all you can see is the glow of our eyes in the surrounding inky blackness, though we can see perfectly. The tunnels around us twist and turn several times. Ahead, the tunnel opens up and there is a faint glow coming from the connecting chamber. Crouching in the entrance; we peer into the chamber, Iris pacing impatiently beside us in nervous anticipation. Her nerves reach across our mental link and roil around in my stomach. In the chamber, we see our quarry floating lazily above a pile of bones that litter the floor.
The Beholder's back is to us currently which is a blessing. Deciding to test a theory I take my knife out and cut my hand in a swift motion dipping my finger into the blood and drawing a symbol on the tunnel wall next to me. Almost instantly the light around us bends and refracts hiding us from sight. We already know most invisibility spells won't fool a beholder but I want to see if our magic is an exception. Advancing forward, careful of our feet, we sneak up behind the beholder getting within inches undetected. It seems my magic does indeed work thus far. Suddenly, the beholder turns! It's full gaze falling upon us, it blinks and yawns. The aberration cannot see us! I think quickly to Iris,
"Do you want the honor?"
"Gladly" she growls with pleasure through our link.
She strikes out at the beholder's central eye with her claws sinking her arms in so deep she destroys its brain instantly. The beholder falls to the ground with a resounding
BOOM.
I drop our illusion and grab James in a hug shouting,
"We did it!" when suddenly there is a rumbling from deeper within the cave!
"RUN!!!" Shouts James as he grabs my hand and pulls me toward the exit as fast as we can fly!
Behind us there is a loud roar and I dare not glance back. I grab my sword as I catch the reflection of a lizard-like creature in a puddle of water ahead of us, I look away quickly realizing it's a basilisk!! I jump toward the cave wall forcing myself to ricochet off the wall back toward the monster! I close my eyes and use my sense of hearing to my advantage as I land on its head; I stab my sword downward. Shrieking the basilisk falls to the ground and I slide off of it opening my eyes once more. James just stares at me in open-mouthed shock. Smiling triumphantly I simply say
"You trained me well and I HAD to do something, it was almost on us."
We head back to the entrance in silence.
Finally, I say
"So, do you feel better now? What will you do next?"
James glances at me,
"I want to go wherever you go. I look at him, surprised.
"I believe you can do anything." He continues.
I pause for a moment thinking and then reply,
"Then lets take this Society down once and for all." I say with fire in my voice. James looks at me in shock again.
"Why?"
"Because things shouldn't be this way James, this life should be a choice not thrust upon unwilling people! The rules and rights of our people need to change and I aim to see it happen!" I said vehemently. James looked at me with a spark of something in his eye.
"What?" I question.
"You're something, you know that?"
"Yep." Both laughing we walk off into the sunset.
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A Thief in the Night
The sun sets slowly over the horizon; twinkling in brilliant beauty against the skyline. Stretching Iris opens one eye and chirps a complaint at me. I sense that she isn't ready to wake.
"I'm sorry little one but we need to keep moving." I quickly gather what little belonging I have and rouse James from next to the smoldering embers of our fire.
"James wake up!"
James jumps instantly into a crouch as if under attack and then growls grumpily when he realizes it's only me.
"Do ye have to wake a fellow up like that, lass?!?" Growling at me he settles onto the ground. Grinning wickedly I nod pertly.
"Wouldn't be half as funny if I didn't now would it?" I duck low as he chucks a log at me from next to the fire.
"My, my we are testy this morning! So James, we need to get to California right?"
"Yes lass, that's where the leaders of Raknath were last I knew, at our headquarters in San Francisco."
"Well traveling on foot is getting us nowhere so I say we steal." My mouth set in a grim line. James glances at me startled.
"Lass, have ye lost your mind?!?" Half shouting.
"No, but do you have any better ideas?" This shuts him up and I can see his mind turning trying to come up with something. Finally he's sighs and rubs a hand over his face.
"Fine." He says begrudgingly. He pours dirt onto the embers and standing he looks at me and says
"Where did you have in mind?" Smirking I laugh.
"Go big or go home, we are headed for the Chrysler building!" His face goes pale and he starts to sweat.
"If you're sure..."
"I am."
I take off at a run heading north. Iris runs beside me and I sense pure joy through our link. She's always so blissfully happy just to be with me it makes my heart light and I feel like I can do anything. We run for several hours before the giant building comes into view ahead of us. The streets are silent as the world slumbers.
"First things first, we have to find the Transmitter and kill the power."
"On it!" James runs off around the back of the building and next thing I know the entire block goes dark. Once he's back I look up and say
"Well that was fast. Let's go."
We walk inside and find the stairs at the back of the building and start descending, heading for the basement. Once we reach the bottom floor we hear a surge of power and the lights come back on!
"Uh oh. That's no good, guess the generator kicked in..." worried James.
"We'll just have to be careful." We walk down a hallway to a set of double doors, I look around trying to find another way to go through. Spotting a vent shaft above us I point silently and James gives me a boost up on his shoulders. I push the vent up carefully so I don't make any noise and climb into the shaft, it's a tight fit but not uncomfortable. James jumps up after me followed by Iris.
We head straight down the shaft in the direction of the doors and I find another vent that opens into the room and peer through to see below. The room is filled with computer monitors and security guards. They appear to be human, my mouth waters. I silently remove the vent and jump down into the room. They never even heard me as I sate my thirst. I look at the monitors and locate what I'm looking for.
"James! Look!" I call. On the far left is a room filled with stacks and stacks of bundled money! Looking around I find a table to our right with blueprints of the building and look for one labeled "vault." Failing to find this, I find one labeled "high security." It's located to the west through the vents so I jump back up and join James and Iris.
"We need to head west from here." I whisper. James nods and starts crawling as I follow. We reach the room and I open the vent. We jump down and I find a bag and start filling it with cash.
"Halt! Trespassers! For I am Veto and you will not leave this vault alive!" Suddenly a voice exclaims from the darkness of the room!! Whipping around I search for the source and in front of me stands a man! He has long purple hair down to his mid back and white skin flashing with rainbow script! He's one of us! Beside him is a strange creature, it appears to be made of blue fire! My mind flashes back to the flames in my fireplace, what feels like a lifetime ago...I shake myself.
"Iris" I call out and she is suddenly beside me. James stands at my back. I grab my dagger and stand at the ready.
"I'm sorry, Veto but I'm not leaving this vault without what I came here for, and you won't stop me." I snarl. I lunge at him as I cast a spell that will hold his familiar hostage. He parries my blow and steps back. We circle each other as Iris guards his familiar snarling low in her throat. His eyes widen as he realizes we have his familiar, he lowers his blade.
"Stop. Please don't hurt him. I'll tell you what you seek and let you pass if you let him go."
"I seek the way to California." I said quietly. His eyes widen.
"There is a secret passage under the Golden Gate Bridge but you will have to get past it's guardian." He said frantically. "Please that's all I know."
"I will release your familiar once we are safely out of here." He suddenly lunges at me again and I parry the blow just in time and rack my claws across his throat.
"I'm sorry." I whisper as his familiar keens loudly in grief and explodes and in a puff of smoke. His body falls to the floor and out of it rises a ghastly figure!
"I AM THE TRUE VETO AND NONE SSSHALL PASSSS" It's voice explodes against my eardrums and I cover them crying out in pain! I use a spell to block out the sound and crouch low pulling Iris behind me. Using magic again I enchant my dagger so that I can fight this incorporeal creature. Lunging once more I slash downward at it and it wraps itself around my body completely engulfing me! I can't move! I can't breathe! My lungs start to scream, my vision dims...in my mind I hear Iris frantically crying out for me. Then James casts a spell and light suddenly busts from him and fills the whole room with its brilliance. The creature screams and vanished and I gasp for air panting as I hit the ground. I lay there dazed. James runs up to me.
"Nikko! Are you okay?!?!" "Nikko!!" He pulls me into his arms and holds me. Suddenly his lips are on mine and I freeze. I melt helplessly into his kiss.
"James..." I whisper when he finally pulls away.
"I thought I was guna lose ye Lass." He says softly. I look into his eyes and pull him close to me.
"Thanks to you I'm okay. We need to get out of here."
"Can ye walk?" He asks. I nod and stand up feeling as if I've been hit by a semi, I wince. Grabbing the bag of cash I jump back into there vent and we retrace our steps and leave the building.
Once outside we head to the nearest auto shop and buy a car. It's getting light out so we decide to park and rest after what feels like the longest night of my life. I lay down in James's arms and I'm asleep instantly.
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Shards of Amarth
The moon is high in the sky glowing and full. We cross over the Golden Gate Bridge to get access to the secret tunnel having finally made it to our destination.
"James, what about this guardian?"
"According to our legends it's a puzzle we have to solve. I don't know anything beyond that." His brow creases adorably and I lose focus, I shake myself frowning. This relationship has been a comfort but I can't let it distract me. Iris yawns from the back seat. She now has grown so large she fills the seat all by herself.
We reach the other side of the bridge and pull up next to the bridges base and park the car.
"Will it be safe just to leave it here?" I ask
"It should be fine as long as we lock the doors." James replies. Clicking the button to lock the doors, I look around. There is a cave set into the side of the rock face about 20 yard south of us and I point to it and say,
"That seems like the most logical place don't you think?" Heading towards it I say to Iris,
"Stay close to me okay?"
"Yes, Mistress, always." She answers. She is close at my heels as I advance forward into the darkness. My eyes glow and I can see clearly there are two paths ahead one to the right and one to the left.
"Looks like we will have to split up." I say firmly
"I don't like this...." James starts.
"It can't be helped." I pull him into my arms and kiss him hard before pushing him down the left fork and heading down the right. Iris follows me. The path bends and twists but has no more forks thankfully. Eventually we reach a larger chamber and I crouch at the entrance and peer ahead. There is a strange creature laying up ahead sleeping soundly! It has the head of a human but the body of a lion! Deciding that a direct approach may be best I walk up to it and wait. The creature stirs and looks at me and smiles. It has rows of sharp teeth and terrible morning breath.
UGH.
"I seek the Raknath Society Headquarters." I state clearly. It echos through the chamber.
The Sphinx smiles wider and says,
"If Raknath Society you do seek, you must answer my riddles three."
"Ask me your riddles then, and I will answer them." I say with a sense of foreboding should I get the answers wrong.
"I have a mouth but do not speak, I have a bed but do not sleep, I run every were but go nowhere, what am I?" The Sphinx inquires.
"A River?" I ask. The Sphinx smiles and continues,
"What is that which in the morning goes upon four feet
upon two feet in the afternoon,
and in the evening upon three?" James comes up behind me and answers.
"That's easy, Ive heard it before. The answer is Man, for he crawls as an infant, walks as an adult and uses a cane in old age." I jump startled because I didn't hear him come in.
"T-thank you James." I say shakily.
The Sphinx smiles and continues.
"There are two sisters:
One gives birth to the other,
And the other, in turn, gives birth to the first."
I look at James and raise my eyebrows...I think about it long and hard and an answer occurs to me.
"Night and Day?" I ask the sphinx. The Sphinx smiles widest of all.
"Correct. You have answered all three riddles correctly!" It's mouth opens wide and out falls a shard of crystal that is deep purple in color.
"Find the Shard of Amarath you must to reach the hidden Tower's Heart. There are three more each with trials you will have to face." The Sphinx then goes back to sleep it's job having been completed. I pick up the shard and put into my bag. We retrace our steps and go back to the car.
"What now?" I ask James, feeling lost.
"Now I guess we go to the nearest Raknath sanctuary and look for more clues." He says with a sigh. I take out the shard and hold it in my hands. My eyes suddenly glow amethyst and I know where we have to go!
"The next gem is in Washington DC! I just saw it, it's under the Lincoln Memorial!" James stares at me but doesn't question me further. He starts the car and we are on the road again. Iris groans in the back seat. I sense she's tired of being stuck in the car.
"I'm sorry Iris. This trip will be shorter at least." I apologize. Iris grumbles but quiets as the sun begins to rise in the East. We only stop for lunch by stealing some blood from the nearest hospital. Those that see us soon forget. We are like ghosts among men, a figment of the mind.
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