Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He foot moved out, connecting with the remaining swordsman's chin. He aimed, and fired. His target ducked, and another gunman fell just as the axeman slammed his fists onto Vlad's back. Well, they were almost halfway there. He turned, watching a sword bury itself uncomfortably close to the 'family jewels'.

He brought his own sword around, slamming it into the axeman's ankle. He saw the flash as the enemy sword was drawn out, he relocated his sword blade as the other sword came down, deflecting it from any important organs into a fleshy but nonvital area of his chest.

He dropped the gun he had been using, and drew out another automatic, raining metal rain into the air above them. He heard a few screams and dully realized it was the cop. Halfway at last. He heard other gunshots, and quickly scrambled for cover as they bit into the ground. Getting to his feet, he ran towards the vehicle these goons had come in, jumping over the edge and using it for cover. He pulled out a grenade, pulling out the pin and tossing it out into the open.

"Fire in the hole!"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Waking in the middle of the night, cold chills racked my frame as My eyes darted around the room for an unseen foe.

"Just a dream..." Shakily came out in the darkness. It was just a dream. The imagines of so much blood covering me as rage boiled within, I couldn't see in this dream who was bleeding but I sensed something was coming for me.
Jumping from the bed, I began to dress, needing warmth suddenly. The address flashed in my mind causing me to pause all movement. Rummaging in my pants pocket I found the scrap of paper with the address written down. It didnt match?

Moving to the phone book, I pulled it out and set it on my lap, finding a street map in the front I began to search by street names until I located the right one. Writing down the address in my head and then the directions, I tossed the book onto the bed behind me and grabbed my coat. Taking the room key and my bag in hand, I quickly moved to Gumo's door. Knocking, I waited for him to answer me.
"Gumo!? You awake in there? It's me.. Aria.." I waited, hoping I wasn't waking up everyone.

 

[VandalHeart]

??? : "Aaah...there she is. All awake and ready for you...are you going to pass this up?"

Gumo winced for a moment and almost lost his concentration. He regained it and continued the mantra, speaking at the same time in a cold voice that was a bit too concentrated for Aria'a liking.

"What...is it?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"I remembered something, I am going to go investigate it. I just wanted to let you know I wasn't ditching you..." Turning from the door I walked down a few feet to the elevator and pushed the button to go down.

He certainly sounded irritable for beinf disturbed. I didn't expect him to come along with me, hell I just didn't want him taking off to who knew where thinking I ditched out. Lance was already off on his own, which wasn't wise. Didn't he know he was being hunted?! Maybe Gumo suggested it? Either case, he had vanished and I had yet to hear anything from him.

The doors opened and I stepped inside, hitting the lobby button and waiting for the doors. I had to figure out this past business and move on, if this address was even worth looking into, I wouldn't know until I got there.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo heard her leave and didn't want to get any more separated then he already was, so he made a rude effort to push the demon back in it's hole before he got up and started for the door. On his way out he noticed the time. He'd been fighting with it for several hours now. As the demon got basically shoved down into the recesses of his mind, Gumo knew he was going to pay for that later.

The doors were about to close when Gumo stuck his hand in at the last second to open them again. He stepped inside, still straightening his clothes from sitting on the floor.

"Sorry about that...there was a pest in my room."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"A pest? In this place? Call the Hotel Manager and have him take care of it, that is below standards." I pushed the button again and finally was able to step off the elevator.

"You don't have to come with me you know.. I was just letting you know where I was heading." I fell silent as he kept pace with me, obviously he was determined to come along. So be it.

"We driving or using a taxi? It's your car, I was planning on taking a taxi myself." I smiled at him and waited for him to stop glancing around and give me his attention. He seemed distracted?

"You alright?" A little nervous again, I wondered if perhaps going alone would be best? I mean.. I didn't really know this guy.. He could be. I wasn't going to think about that right now, that was the last thing I needed to become. Paranoid!

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo whirled around when she asked about his condition. The demon was still trying to claw it's way back up, but it was more manageable now. He had to ask her to repeat the question.

"I will be, yes. If you'd like to take the car we can. My assistants know we're gone and will stay there until I tell them otherwise, so I guess the question is who's driving?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

She seemed too uncomfortable even to talk. I watched as she moved away, trying to escape into the graveyard. The rign caught her attention, and after refusing to let it distract her from her destination, she turned to us, sugested we might meet again, then was gone, disappearing into shadows, just as she'd tried to hide in them.
Leona approached immediately.
"You know her?"
I shook my head. "But she certainly seems interesting."
After a comment like that, I half-expected to see Leona grinning at me when I turned back to her,as if my interest were of a different nature than it truly was. Instead, she merely looked back, concerned and curious.
"WHat has been going through yor mind?"
I paused, wondering if should take her question as an insult.
"I believe Kavak might have been correct. I've been pondering what way I shold travel. ANd if I should go alone..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"I will drive." Taking the keys from his hand, I moved towards his car and got inside. Turning it over, my mind still had a fresh image of the house I was looking for.

Perhaps this time it would lead me somewhere? Glancing at the piece of paper with the directions on it, I stomped on the gas once Gumo was inside the car.

"You sure you are alright?" He looked a little different, perhaps it was because I was tired and hadn't give him much attention to begin with? Stretching in the comfortable car, I turned left and then right a few blocks later.

"I think I may know something or someone here.. That's where I am heading."

A few minutes later the car pulled up before a darkened house. No cars in the driveway but it had a garage. No lights anywhere and the lawn was dead and dry.

"empty." It figures. The neighborhood wasn't too populated, kind of empty. An old building of some sort was leveled up the street a short distance but in my mind flashed a house that was once sitting there.

"This feels very familiar.." I shivered a little, shutting off the car and moving towards the dark house. Checking the paper, I knew I had the right place. So... who lived here before?

"Looks empty for certain.. Should we try and get in?" I hesitated, not wanting ot be arrested for breaking and entering.

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

Moving stealthly and quickly, she moved through the grave yard to the street beyond. A lone jogger was seen coming her way, an easy target if she played right.

Acting hurt, she limped along the side walk and sat down. The man passed by without even glancing her way.

"Ok, fine." Moving quickly she came up behind him and lifted him into the air by the back of his suit. He let out a grunt and a few curses, his eyes wide and not beliving. Chucking him over the wall, she lept and landed before landing back down over his prone form. He gaped at her before announcing he had to cash to speak of.

Ignoring him she moved down to straddle his body, her hand silencing any screams he might utter with a strong hand. Her fangs sank into his neck and she drank deeply, taking and taking. The sweet nectar began to flow down her throat and into her body, warming her. Moaning softly, she fed as quick and quiet as possible. Before death could claim him she released him.

His body trembled a little, his breathing labored some what but she knew he would live.

"You won't remember this.. You never saw me.. This did not happen.. You are ill and need to rest now.. Go home and forget me.." She whispered as her eyes held his firmly. His clouding as he pricked her finger, smeared a little over the wounds and jumped off of him. Vanishing back into the shadows before he could blink, she moved.

Her mind was once again on the stranger and his purpose? She firmly believed everyone had a purpose in life, they had but wait for it to be revealed to him or her. She paused in her steps. She had to go back the way she came to get home.

Moving around them, ignoring their voices, she clung to the shadows as she walked. She had fear of them but refused to give into it and cower. Perhaps it would do her some good to follow them and see where they lived? It could be useful information later. That decided she waited for the two of them to move before she began her persual.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

"Come," Leona stated, finally. "You know that Isabelle will have the answers you need. We spoke of this, but it seems to me that your place may yet be here."
SHe didn't want to see me leave. I knew that would happen with her. I was the one she'd always trusted, and she didn't want to see me go.
"I think it is decided for me already, but I agree that we should return home. It seems tonight has an odd air about it."
I was speaking personally, but everything had become surreal since Kayla's death. It was as though this part of my life were a dream, and I would wake up soon, my love sleeping soundly beside me.
"Come," I said, faking a smile that she didn't buy. "Let's go."
We leapt the wall and walked slowly and silently back to the club, where the others awaited us. She stopped me outside, where we might be alone for the last time before entering the building.
"I don't want to lose you," she stated, lowering her head. "So if you go, might I interest you in the service of a body guard, compliments of an old friend?"
I opened my mouth to speak, not sure just then what I might say, when Mikael stepped outside, calling to us.
"COme," he shouted. "Party's in here, old friends."
She smiled up at me. "Think about it, answer me later."
SHe headed for the door.
"I'll be in in a moment. Just want to take in some fresh air."
She nodded, then reluctantly left me alone. I stood outside, a few people milling around me, but none paying much attention, leaned back against the brick wall and closed my eyes to think.

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

Following those two had been easier than she thought, although from the scents in the air there were many more around and inside this club. She watched him standing there by himself, thinking it appeared to be.

Allowing herself to be seen, she melted out of the shadows just behind him. Why she bothered, she didn't really know but he looked as lonely as she felt at this moment. Something inside her was too soft, here she was standing in a populated area where many were staring at her face and yet she didn't flinch or hide away. Instead she moved forward coming up beside him on the street corner.

"And why would you go off by yourself and leave behind your clan?" She knew it was nosey to ask that, but she did anyway.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo had since regained his composure, although he was dreading the next visit from the thing inside him. When she pressed for his condition his only response was a smiling nod of reassurance. He hoped it would suffice.

Standing in front of the house, he considered the possibility of a break in. The only concern he had was that there may be someone watching from the other house. He tried to be serruptitious about glancing over, and he saw no car. One does not survive as long as he had, however, by not being paranoid.

Gumo pointed at the house down the block and said, "I'm going to check that house for bystanders. From the looks of it, no one lives there, but light steps litter the path of the succesful theif." He was off and moving before he caught the look he got from her for that little proverb.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

The moment he turned I stuck my tongue out at him in a childish manner and chuckled before moving towards the house. This whole neighborhood was dead and empty. I wasn't the least bit worried about someone seeing me.

Moving to the front door, I moved to the side and peered into the window. Glancing around I couldn't see much of anything considering it was all covered by white sheets. Well it was evident it was empty.

So... do I go in or leave? Who had lived here? I had a feeling this was my home but wasn't one hundred percent sure of that fact.

"Shit.." I had no choice if I wanted some answers. Moving back to the door, I turned the knob until it snapped and the door opened. Stepping inside I glanced around. Cob webs in the corners, thick dust over everything.. This place had been unlived in for quite some time.. Why?

Moving around, I began to pull off the sheets, not really caring if someone might get upset with me over this. I had to see this place natural as possible in order to know if I knew it or not.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo stepped into the other house and looked around. There was no sign of anyone being here in the past five years, let alone the past five minutes. The decrepit building showing around him like a shadow of tragedy, he could almost smell the death on the wind.
He was about to leave the house when his phone rang. Checknig the ID, it was the hotel. Hiro. He answered.
"Yes, Hiro?"
"Good evening, sir. We found the information you requested on that house."
"And?"
"Apparently it's owners did not connect with anything we have come up with so far. I think it's a dead end."
Gumo gave a slight pause. Why did Aria stop in front of that house? What was the connection?
"Alright. Thank you, Hiro. How did you get this information?"
"I went to the public record listing sight for the Greater New Orleans Area. I'm looking at it right now."
"Good. Do me a favor. Get a pen and pad."
Hiro did so and Gumo gave him the addresses for the two houses they were currently investigating, plus the ruined lot.
"OK, pardom me for just a moment, the site is large...alright, there was only one owner a piece for each house, but they're all pseudanims, except for the pile of rubble."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the one still standing was owned by Aria Rae Smith. Wait, that's your companion. A thousand apologies, sir."
"Drop it Hiro, time is prescious. What about the other two?"
"I'm sorry. Anyhow, the one you're standing in was owned by Frank Smith. Not much imagination there, obviously," Hiro said with a slight chuckle. He was trying to get loosened up from the annoyance he'd caused his ancestor. Gumo sensed his fear and decided to try and ease it.
"Apparently not. What about the ruins? You said that wasn't a false name."
Hiro breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes. The last house, or rather what used to be a house, was owned...by...hold on, I'm finding it again...Joseph DeLonay."
Aria Rae Smith, Frank Smith, Joseph DeLonay, he commited the names to memory.
"Thank you Hiro. That will be all for now. Check on our holdings at home."
"Yes, sir."
"And Hiro?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Has Lance arrived yet?"
"Um...no sir, he hasn't."
"Curious. Thank you, Hiro."
Gumo hung up the phone without waiting for a reply and started back towards the house Aria had come to see. Glancing around before he entered the house, he was once again satisfied that no one was watching. Once inside, he saw Aria carefully examining every square inch around her, it seemed.
"Aria? My assistants called back and they have some information."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

The livingroom was for the most part uncovered and as natural as it could look. Pacing around, I checked out everything except the mantle above the fire place. Nothing would be important there, at least not that I thought of. An old outdated computer sat in a corner on a desk littered with papers and notes. Taking a piece of paper I wrote my name and glanced at the other sheets of paper. It looked similar. But was it enough proof?

Having no recollection of anything yet, I continued to move around the room. searching for something I might recognize.

"Information?" I heard him coming and enter, his words didn't cause much of a rise in my mind, I was too busy studying the old hope chest.

"Can you help me open this?" I knelt down and glanced at the combination lock with interest.

"What infor-mation.." The word broken with a grunt as I pried at the lid, "Did you get?" I stopped trying to pull it open and glanced up at Gumo. I didn't want to destroy the box but it looked like I would have to!

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo asked her to step aside for just a moment to examine the chest. It was old, but the lock was not rusted.
"Apparently, you owned this house, but you gave a false last name. Aria Rae Smith, apparently. May I have one of your hairpins?" he asked as he held out his hand.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Handing him a bobbypin, I thought for a moment, chewing my lip as my mind went over the name.

"It isn't a false name.. On those bills over there is the same name. Aria R. Smith. And on some things is De.. De... Shit i can't remember, it's over there though. So which would be my real name?" The words lance said came back to haunt me.

"A husband and son.. Lance said I had them and they died... So one is my name and one is my maiden name?" I glanced down at my hand. I wore no rings but the one glowing green.

"What else did you find out?" My voice halted a little as he got the trunk open. Kneeling down again, I moved a few things off the top of the trunk and started searching. For whatever I could find to bring back my memories.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo stood and moved out of her way.
"Well, I say it was false because, while it may be on all the bills, you probably just gave all of the billing companies that name, seeing as how your neighbor across the street had the same last name. John Smith. But the ruins next door were owned by someone named Joseph."
He kneeled beside her, knowing this was about to ring a bell. She had just been struggling with a name that began with "De."
"Joseph DeLonaye."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Digging through the trunk I found a little decorated box that looked old.. Older than everything else in the trunk. Pulling open the lid I spied a wooden object. Several little wooden Objects infact.

Studying them, I paused mid thought about it when the name was spoken aloud. "Joseph DeLonaye?" A shiver passed over me, eyes staring but at nothing as a face flashed before my eyes. A high pitched ringing echoed in my ears and faded into a hum.

I was standing in this room, looking up into the handsome features of Joseph. Blonde hair, blue eyed and sullen as I handed him a little heart. The story replayed in my mind, I could feel a tingle shoot up my spine as the scene shifted and we lay upstairs in the big bed I had yet to see. My hands tightened on the box as the image faded and a tear trickled down my cheek, dripping onto my hand.

"I need some airr.." I stood up and the room tilted a little. Reaching out and grabbing the couch again the scenes began to flash through my mind. Trinity.. Sweet Trinity and John.. Shiva and her evil laugh. Ray. Good lord!

"I feel funny.." I felt sick to my stomach is what I felt. The room dipped and my body crashed down hard into the dusty couch as I lay panting and staring at the unseen ceiling. It hurt! My head hurt and my stomach rolled over and over.

"maggie?" The whimpered plea rushed past my cold lips, watching her die all over again and then a scream shattered the house and neighborhood as my eyes widened and I jumped up and fell from the couch.

"Micheal! Where is Micheal?" Little things came back. His baby booties, his father rocking him to sleep when he was first born. The training... the room shifted upside down and my temple was bleeding from hitting the coffee table. Groaning from the memories and from the pain, I started to throw up but nothing came up. Dry heaves.. Nothing was worse.

Shaking I prayed this wasn't real and this wasn't happening. The warehouse and Lance cutting off a finger.. Cat and I training downstairs while Ray watched and encouraged....

The rings! My god! "This is all my fault.." Things finally went black and I was thankfully floating into the first faint of my entire life..

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo watched as Aria began to lose control, not recognizing the names consciously, but they resonated in the back of his head for some reason. At the mentioning of every name, the ring on his finger began to warm and pulse, almost causing pain. He was so enraptured by this that he didn't notice Aria lose her balance and fall until the sound of her hitting the floor made him jump. He quickly dropped to his knees and rolled her over and held her to him like a seizing child. It was hard to think that only minutes ago his own demon was goading him to take what he wanted from her.

What did he want from her?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"RAY!!!!!!" The name rang through her mind and her soul cried out for the one who always protected her from day one. Ray. Soul sweet, caring loving and a steady rock. Ray..

Twisting and trying to get free, I did not like the hands holding me prisoner. "No no! NO!" I fought the voices the memories and the returning events racing into my mind and overwhelming everything in side and out!

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I cried harder, shoulders shaking head hanging down on Gumo's shoulder as my fist pounded at his back.

"THAT BASTARD KILLED MY FAMILY!" Shaking with pain and fury I did not know how to let it go. Joseph, maggie, Micheal.. All dead! Erika and Ray had to be as well although I never seen it myself. Pain engulfed my mind as I stopped fighting the arms that held me.

"L-Lance?" Where was he? God I needed him! No.. NO! He didn't need me.. I remembered so many things, so many painful things and cringed back.

"My god! What have I done?" My head lifted and met the steady eyes staring back at me. "Th-this wh-h-hole mess is m-my fault! The rings and that fucking book! They are dead because.. No.. They died because of Mongrel!" I growled his name, pushing Gumo from me with much force, I jumped up and moved for the door.
"I will kill that bastard myself!" My hands were shaking and my body trembling too badly to make it further than the door frame. "He must p-pay.." I felt light headed and the room swam before my eyes. Sliding down to sit on the floor, I lacked the strength but my mind was shutting out the pain and letting the anger roll over me. and then.. Silence. Nothing but silence.

"Where is Roland?" I paused, lifting my head a little and looking through the wall towards the old mansion. Joseph's bat was always near by.. Where did he go? Where was Ray? What happened?

"I must finish this some how.. some way Gumo.. I can't let Mongrel get that book.." Weakly I rose from the floor. "My bed is upstairs and waiting for me.. I should go get some sleep.. don't you think?" I turned my head and held his gaze through itchy and puffy eyes.

A half hearted attempt at a laugh sounded from my raw throat, "Lance was right.. I was better off dead.."

 

[nightray]

Ray

As I look out the windows I feel my ring begin to heat up almost burning. I look down at it confusion in my eyes. “What is going on?” I say softly as the heat moves up my arm and in to my mind where Arias face appears in my minds eye. I grown as she calls my name out anguish in the tone.

I put my head in my hands. “No she is dead dam it theirs no way she could have survived that explosion is there?” I shake my head trying to block it out but the ring wont let me showing my her face torched needing me. I growl low in my throat as old feelings com rushing up.

I sit back in the couch my head pounding slightly. I concentrate the ring seeming to bust my minds voice. “Aria if you are truly alive com to me. I’m in New York you know where I’ve told you about my privet place.” The words seem to explode from my mind the power of the sending busted greatly by the ring.

I sit waiting for Kat to get reedy wondering if Aria is truly alive and knowing that if she is I would need her to fide the book what I would do with it after is still to be seen….

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo had been trying to comfort her the entire time, attempting to tell her to calm down, but the words never penetrated. It was only when she suggested that she sleep in this dessicated excuse for a house that Gumo found it imperative to get through to her NOW.
"Aria, STOP!" she stopped and turned towards him on the stairs, slightly shaken at hearing him yell. He didn't realize that he had put the infernal edge in his voice. "You are not going to sleep here, and this may or may not be your fault. Either way, you have a kimu--" he caught himself about to use the Japanese term, and it only made him more angry, "you have an obligation. Be it your fault or not, you are involved. I have been patient up until this point, and tried to grasp what answers I have gotten, but they have fallen short. What is important now is that you find yourself, and quickly. Your involvement has thrust you into a position which demands your cognizance. I do not know who Ray, or Micheal, or Erika, or Cat, or ANY of these people are, but if you have any respect for them or their memories, be they dead, you must not lose your mind! Tonight when you came to my door telling me you were coming here, I was fighting...something. I probably shouldn't have come with you, but I did, and at the time, I didn't know why. Well, I do now. This situation we find ourselves in isn't one you can just sit by and say 'someone will take care of it', and you aren't, thank heaven. But time is short, and you have to keep your wits."
Gumo had calmed down considerably, and now he wiped his eyes in the wake of frustration. He looked up and extended his hand.
"Let me take you back to what home those such as us can claim."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

“Aria if you are truly alive com to me. I’m in New York you know where I’ve told you about my privet place.”

I halted in midstride down the stairs and turned. "Did you hear that?" As I glanced around, I looked back at Gumo and could clearly see he did not.

"R-ray?" I called softly then it dawned on me! IT was in my head.

"Ok we will go now..." I reached out and took his hand, trying to appear more confident than I felt.

"I'm coming Ray! I'll be there!" My mental message went out, not sure if it would reach him over the distance but I had to try.

The fight was leaving me, the weakness was vanishing and in it's place was the tiredness I felt seeping into each limb and making it hard to walk.

"We should go now Gumo..... Wait.." I moved around him and picked up the wooden heart. "My grandmother gave this to me.. Grandpa made it for her...." It was all I would take with me, for now my home was safe as it could be without someone in it.

"Remind me to have someone come repair the lock and clean the house..." I turned again, rummaging through the desk and finding my extra ID and check book. I knew where things were.. I knew my name! And I knew the past.. And I wondered if being empty headed was better?

Wiping the tears from my face, I tried to calm myself. My hand placed back into his, I didn't question why I was taking orders from this stranger, I just felt his decisions were much better than my own right now.