Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He pulled up the gun, watching her.

But he wasn't. He was trapped in a memory nearly a thousand years passed. She had had those same eyes...

He stood in the barren little room deep in the Bloodguard archives. She was chained there, held in the room. Thin, the light hurt her eyes now, she'd been there so long. The bare wooden table before here was all in the room but her and the stool she balanced herself on. She had been beautiful once.

He knew, because he had watched her dance.

"Vladamir Trepes,....you are fated. I can see you, your hands, covered in the blood of greatness. It is you, Vladamir, who shall kill Greatness."

She had those same eyes. Those eyes that would look beyond time. He shook. Later, he'd killed them. The bloodguard. They'd dissolve as he wnet through their ranks, painting the walls red with their blood before getting to her room. The room he'd dragged her into, chained her in, and killed her, under orders.

He looked up at the witch. "You know,...you remind me of my sister. She had that gift. I was ordered to kill her, too. So I asked her a question, and then I killed her. She said I would kill greatness."

He pulled the trigger. Blood moved through the air it splattered the ground behind him. He stared at her a moment before falling on his knees before her. He looked up at her. "Until today, I didn't realize she meant my own."

His body moved forward, but never hit the ground. His gun lie at the woman's feet. That and a bloodstain a few feet away were the only signs he'd ever been there.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Magdellin (the Witch)

She had to admit, she had not seen that coming. Rising from the chair slowly, she moved around the table to see all remains gone.
She had known there were vampires for awhile, but it still amazed her.
"Poor soul.." She mumbled a soft prayer for his soul and knealt down. She felt her heart skip a beat, her body shivering as a premonition came over her.
They knew..

Vladamir did not complete the job and the others would come for her. She moved quickly, out of the tent and to the RV. Flinging open the door, her stooped old body easily made it inside and to her assistant.

She cupped the woman's ear and began her tale all over again, this time hurrying as best she could through the details. "When the time is right, find who I mentioned and fill in the blanks. Go now."

"But.." The young girl looked scared to defy the old woman and scared to leave her too. "What about the man.."

"Just go before they arrive." She knew ears would be listening all around her, snipping at her heels for answers she wasn't willing to give.

She embraced her assistant quickly, hugging the girl and slipping her necklace into the assistant's hand. "For my granddaughter" And with that she left the RV and moved back to her tent to await the others that were coming.

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

Just across the way not two miles from the tent stood Anna looking down at the ring with a hard glare.

"This is.. It's.. BULLSHIT! That's what it is!" She was terrified for a moment, completely terrified by what this meant. Those rings, this cursed quest.. All of it! Bullshit!

Turning she walked off and kept walking. She had to cool down, she needed a few minutes alone.. Perhaps longer.

"FUCK THIS!" She cursed out at the night sky. There was a mistake! There had to be! And she was fucking cursed!!!! She could not rid herself of this ring.. so she gathered anyway.. without dying first!

She unhooked the belt, letting that annoying sword fall to the ground and took off running. Vanishing before anyone could catch up to her.

As she raced her head pounded as well as her heart. Tears formed on her face. She had come so far! and now she was doomed!? This was a fucked up wprld and for once, she was truely sick of living in it.

She ran harder and faster til she dropped next to a river bank. She just needed some space and time.. Perhaps she could come to terms with this? Or perhaps she would just walk the hell away and go home!

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

Something wasn't right, I thought, feeling the odd sensation of unnatural cold move through me. There a second and gone. I was looking around, searching for an enemy, or somewhere that might be a source for this odd premonition, if that's what it truly was.
Lost in the feeling, I hadn't noticed what was happeneing behind me. Not until I heard Aria's yell, at least. I turned, hands going into my coat for the two nine-millimeters I'd tucked into it (the spear and sword seemed too obvious to be carrying around the countryside, but I'd grabbed a long machete from among Ray's things and strapped it into the jacket as well, along with a hunting knife I'd strapped to my ankle).
WHen my eyes found her, she was on her butt, Kieth already moving toward her.
I moved quickly, closing the short distance before the human finished his request to Kat.
Once there, I knelt next to her, glancing around, unable to find Ray. What had happened?
Then I felt it, coming toward us from the distance in the direction that Aria faced like a heavy, cold breeze.
Something had happened, and it seemed like the cool breeze I felt, and possibly the shivers that had come earlier, were more the aftermath than anything else."What happened?" I asked, but for some reason, it seemed obvious, as little sense as it made.
I looked to the human, who didn't seem to have any answers, then back to Aria, who sat weeping on the ground.
"We can't stay here, now," I said. "If anyone's following us, they'll have heard her scream."
I reached down, sweeping Aria up and heading toward the car, hoping to get A.B. and Kat to look after Aria as we headed off to find the Old Witch. Battle wounds I could tend to, but broken hearts? I couldn't mend my own, nonetheless another's.
A.B.?
Gone?
Where she had stood, there was no one.
What the hell now?
"Did anyone see where Anna went?" I asked, now becoming agitated. This had all gotten too far out of hand, too fast.
Just like that, Ray and A.B. both disappear, and Aria falls to emotional pieces. Explanations? Just like everything it seemed there were none being offered.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

"Anna? That woman ran that way."

He pointed in the direction he'd heard the woman run to after her fit of yelling. She didn't like being a part of this anymore, it seemed. That was too bad. Things had been set in motion. It was all coming to a close now.

He grunted, and waited for things to move back into place. It was no longer his place to try and keep things moving, or to try and keep the group together. He was no longer a part of things. They were the ones with the rings. It was a lot like his old life.

Watching over everyone else as they went about their lives. There to protect from those that would kill them, and nothing else. It brought back such memories.

 

[poohlive]

Keith jumped into the car, holding Aria on his lap as the others were piling in. He didn't know, but things were spinning fast, and none of this seemed like it was right. Everyone else had this look on their face, a look like they didn't understand what was happening, but they understood WHY they didn't understand. A piece of the puzzle even Keith didn't have yet.
"The witch," He said, groping for the last thing on his mind. Vladimir. Vladimir had warned them of going to the witch, hadn't he? And look... look at all of this. Had they only listened to Vladimir this could all have been afforded.
"Let's go to the witch. If she's as old, and smart and powerful as you all claim she is, she might be able to help Aria, and get us some of the answers we need."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Things just never seemed to make sense anymore, everything was obscured and warped.

"I'm fine." I managed to croak out, having Christian put me down on my own two feet.
"I am fine, alright?" I brushed him off and climbed into the car, sitting in the back seat with tears still streaming down my face.
"There is a carnival.. Across." It was hard to speak, wanting to scream out the rage inside.
"Across the bridge just up the road.. Go there Keith." I pointed the way over his shoulder and sat back, trying to maintain some control. It wasn't easy, Ray was gone and damn if it could have been stopped! Should have been stopped!
Selfish or not, I did not feel the need to appologize for my gruff behavior, nor for my out burst. The pain sank deep, a dear friend was gone forever.
I should have seen it coming.. Shouldn't I? I felt I should, perhaps the old woman would provide some help? Some peace of mind? I doubted it in reguards to Ray. Whatever took hold of him and dragged him out of existance was not natural.
Everyone was stunned or angry or just perhaps lost in thought. The ride was silent, those in it silent as well. It suited me, I knew each was thinking, some had pain in their own way, but this couldn't stop us. I wouldn't let it stop us.
"The girl.. We'll find her after." I had forgotten her name, having no idea why she ran neither and in a strange country? So be it, perhaps she was frightened?
Shaking still myself, who could blame her for walking off? My brain did not want to function anymore, the self drive (stubborness) was pretty much what kept me going in this...
"Turn left here." We followed on a dirt road along the rive a few feet and into a flattened parking area. A few tents remained standing but the circus was dismantling to move on. Luck was on our side, she could still be here.
Pushing aside all thoughts of Ray and circumstances, I stepped out of the vehicle once it stopped.

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

She stood up and stumbled, cursing with her anger, she righted her coat with a viscious tug and moved forward. She needed to think, walk it off. Something.
She gazed down at her hand, now bearing a single ring she wanted no part of. Growling in anger, she ripped it from her hand and threw it, aiming for the river. "FUCK YOU!" She shouted as she hurled it at the murky waters.
Seething with anger, she panted, waiting to hear the resounding splash of the water, confirming that damned cursed ring was gone, but instead she heard nothing.
Glancing down at her hand, the ring was back firmly in place.
"NO! Dammit!" She made a fist with her other hand as she stared disbelieving at the ring. The temptation to repeat that same process again twinged on the edges of her mind. Toss it away and walk away, simple enough. Right?
"HA!" She shouted out, her mind tormenting her with mocking whispered words. She was in this whether she liked it or not.
Doubling up the other hand, she moved off again. Walking quickly, no destination in mind, but needing to work off some steam. She almost wished someone would cross her path so she might have someone to rip limb from limb.
Nothing was going right for her tonight, there wasn't a mugger in sight. She was alone and felt it deep inside.She could almost regret her hasty decision to walk off like that... Almost.
She took off running again, further north. The city loomed ahead, she could see the lights, having no idea where she was didn't matter. Who would mess with a vampire? So she kept going. Just a little while longer and she would back track to the jet to wait for the others. She just needed some time alone.

 

[Firegirl976]

KAt

I gasped suddenly as Rays essence drove through both Aria and I knocking her to the ground. Looking around I saw everyone had felt something, and for Anna it had been panic. I started to walk towards ARia then paused noticing Christian picking her up and hearing Keith cry out my name, (Calm yourself lady.....I am still here.) I sent this mentally to Anna along with a firm mental caress to help calmm her. Turning back to everyone I allowed no grief to show as I followed them pushing past the men to get closer and jumped in the car pulling christian with me before Keith could dive off without us. I got out behind Aria and firmly grabbed her shoulder stopping her in her tracks. "This is not the way to approach her.......calm yourself." I take a deep breath as I look her deeply in the eyes "We must repsect her or nothing will be accomplished."

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He heard a car, and turned. They wouldn't,...would they? But they were gone. He could hear the car in the distance, moving away. He sat down, amazed. How could she just have, have had them go? Leave people behind? Had it affected her that much?

He sat, wondering when they'd come back. If they'd come back. He could try to follow the car, but,... He sat. She'd moved on. Left him behind. Let things begin to slide. BUt that's not what hurt.

She'd left him behind.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

It took only a moment for me to realize something wasn't right. Well, that something else wasn't right.
WIth the confusion fo Ray being...well gone and Anna disappearing, I hadn't noticed right off that the strange newcomer was no longer with us.
"Uh...guys," I muttered. "We've lost another one somewhere..."
I was beginning to wonder if we stood a chance at all, when we couldn't even keep our own in check.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

"Oh what in the seven hells is wrong with us???" I turn to Aria, "You will be fine I"m sure, I'm going back for Joseph....I thought he would have gotten in at the last minute as I did." That said I turned and sped off to gather my bloodbrother since the others were so distracted. Returning to where we had just been in a matter of moments I see him still sitting there and sense the hurt, the torment coming off of him at what he felt was Aria's rejection. Walking over to him I place a firm and supportive hand on his shoulder, "Come Joseph you need to be with the family......I need your presence."

 

[poohlive]

"He can't walk half a mile? I do feel sorry for him."
With all the hub bub of packing, most of the tents and other articles were being torn down, or already packing up for everything else. One single tent still erected itself from the ground, and showed promise of what they had come for.
"Here we are. Answers, Aria..."
But she didn't look like she wanted help right now. She had this look of rage and independence. Something that said along the lines of, if you help me, I will rip your head off. Keith took a step back, letting her deal with her shit her way. Vampires were probably the most sensitive and babylike creatures he had ever seen. They never needed help, and would just sit down and cry if you ran off without them.
No wonder they thought themselves superior.
Keith walked into the tent, looking at the newly spread horror that had just been done.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He sat, thinking. He heard Kat coming, he could tell it was her as she walked over to him. He stood up, and turned to her. He grunted, and cocked his head, as if listening to something.

"Kat, you know the old ways. Is there anything you can do for,..." He trailed off, feeling silly and not quite sure what to say. He knew it was seemed vain. But it wasn't just that. He was missing a hand, and he no longer had the strength he'd once commanded. Too much of his strength was focused on keeping him alive, and quite a bit of his muscle mass had either been burned away in the fire he'd been left in for who-knows-how long, and part of it had been lost in the months he'd spent wandering in pain, going in and out of the madness of hunger.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I turn Joseph around gently, "With your permission may I check the extent of the damage??" I waited for his response gathering my power about me in order to probe more deeply............perhaps there was something I could do.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He shifted a little, watching her. The extent of the damage? It went from his body, through his mind and emotions, right down to his soul. He wasn't sure what exactly the physical damage was, as he'd only been awake so long and had not wanted to know what he had looked like before he'd gotten help.

"Of course you have my permission to check the extent of the damage."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Oh hell.." Saying nothing more about Joseph and being left there, I sat and waited impatiently.
"I said I was fine and I am." I grumbled a little, upset yes but not dense. And why the hell didn't Joseph get into the car? For petesake!

"That's her tent still sitting over there upright, I can read the sign out front, I'm going over." Irritated I walked over uneven ground and rock, grumbling inside at all the delays and then kicking myself for being in such a hurry to make so many mistakes.

A bad premonition came over me that if I wasn't more careful something bad would happen.. As with the ship being blown apart. Stepping just inside the tent I could see the old woman sitting at the table, as if waiting impatiently for our arrival.

"It's about time.." Her voice was still the same as I recalled it to be. Some things never change.

"I had delays getting here."

"Yes, I know."

My eyes scanned the tent, looking around carefully.

"Have a seat Aria, Vladamir will not bother anyone again."

"You reading minds now too?" I quipped in a smart assed tone. She said nothing merely waited for me to be seated.

"Your friends are upset, worried, doubting." She replied softly staring hard at me like she would a child she was scolding.

"Life is hard.." My excuses all sounded pathetic before I even finished them.

"Yes, but you are making it harder by blindly leading them. You know, Ray knew.. Joseph has some idea. But the others? You have not told them enough."

"Look, I came for answers not lectures. Will you please help me?" I asked as nicely as I could, hoping she was not that upset with me. I hadn't seen her since.. I could not remember exactly when? When she told me I was having a son? Or perhaps after that?

"Yes, I will help you but you have to pay attention, I can not stay long. It's not safe here anymore for either of us." Her voice was again sounding motherly to me but I bit my tongue and nodded. She knew alot and would be a great asset, I would not doubt or upset her...... if I could help it.

"Alright, I am seeking the fifth ring bearer and need to know his or her location. As well as who has Ray's ring now? Can you help me?"

She made a face and shook her head, "Yes. The small woman with you bares the ring of Strength."

"Small...? Ooooooh... her."

"Yes, Her! Annabelle.." She gave me another look again.

"I know, I am self absorbed and forgot her name. Alot has been happening lately and it's becoming.."

"...a nightmare.. i know."

I was getting annoyed with those 'I knows' she was spouting out every two seconds.

"Well then tell me the 5th since you know.."

"I can't."

"Why not?!" This was beyond me now, she knew so much but couldn't name the other?? Why not?

"Look, don't get irritated with me, this isn't helping. Now let's not bicker and listen for a change and shut up! You question everything and never seen to shut up!" The old woman banged her hand down on the table, causing myself to jump and clam up.

"Good, now the final ring bearer isn't born yet, so I can not name him. I can not see his face only his build."

"A he?" That helped.. kind of. She glared at me again. "Yes, a male."

"What do you mean by 'not born yet'?? Are we expected to wait years for some baby to grow up!?" I snorted a little, completely doubting the sanity of coming here altogether now.

"That I can't see and don't know, but Mongrel is closer to his goal than you think, So I imagine it is not an infant who is being born with this ring Aria, use your brain a moment will you?" She rose from the table and fetched a glass of water before seating herself.

"Alright, ring bearer isnt born.. Anything else that will help?"

"Find the small woman before she lands herself into dangerous hands."

My brow cocked a little, looking the woman over. What kind of advice was that?

"Something going to happen to her?" I was worried now and feeling badly for not hunting her down before now.

"I have not met her, and can not see anything about her but sense danger. I wish I could tell you, help her, something.. But all I feel is danger surrounding this new comer."

"Alright. Thanks Meg." I rose from the table, thanking god there was no crystal balls or bogus tarot cards to deal with. Meg was real, I just wished she could see clearer into the future.

"All things in magic are underminable Aria.. you know this. I can not forsee into things yet to come because there are too many unnatural variants in the equation. If it were simple, there would not be all this hub-bub about it, now would there? Be safe Aria, watch over them and yourself carefully. Enemies are closer than you think, and allies aren't always what they seem." She sat back, getting comfortable in the chair.

"If anyone else wishes to see you, can I send them in?" I asked out of politeness.

"Yes but my time is short..."

"Can I pay you this time?"

"Pay me? Heavens no. I don't need your money."

"it's just an offer.." I mumbled out.

"Go relax a bit while waiting for your friends to return."

I said my goodbye and wandered back the way I came, my mind confused more than it was before this visit. How could the final ring bearer not be born yet?! That was baffling. Perhaps it was a human? Who had yet to be changed? Now, that made sense. Reborn, vampires. Had to be it.

I stopped by Keith and stood, looking off at nothing really, "If you want to see her about anything, she is waiting a little while for anyone of us who might have questions... Be warned she is pissy tonight." I gave another unlady like snort and shook my head. This woman was stubborn, more so than I was.


ooc: edited to give something to do

Note: The ship (Woven Rings) was blown up at the end to get rid of the ring bearers and party. all it managed to claim was Maggie, Erika and Michael. Ray escaped, Aria was taken with Mongrel and apparently Joseph got off of it as well too. hope that helps. Feel free to play with the witch and get some 'insight' to possible things other than the 'quest'

 

[poohlive]

"Fortune teller, right. I need to be told I'm going to meet some tall dark and handsome man..." Keith shook his head, but decided to go in anyway. There was no need for Aria to think he wasn't grateful for her. He was, she just happened to be a vampire.
He wouldn't hold it against her.
Inside, he stared at an old woman with a warm smile and an even warmer look upon her face.
His heart wrenched.
The gun, the blood, the evidence that brought together the slow build in his mind threatening to shatter his sanity.
"Vladimir."
Keith dropped to his knees, grabbing for the gun. In his hands, it was still warm, the final shot echoing off the hollowed chamber like a ghost uttering his last words to the land of life.
"No," He fought it, but tears fell from his eyes anyway. Vladimir, his partner, his ally. The one man he trusted with all of this. Vladimir, the one who gave him a single ounce of respect when everyone else showed him none.
Vladimir had died.
Even in the midst of crying, Keith could feel the anger boil up inside of him. Pure rage filtered only by those who refused to help him, who refused to listen to him. The damned vampires who thought they were so special and better than everyone else. Screw the mission, screw Mongrel. He would kill them all for Vladimir.
Keith got up, ready to leave the tent. He held the gun tight in his hand, ready to step outside and open fire on them al. Aria, Christian.
When he stood though, the gun disappeared in his hands. It changed, the handle moving to his grip, the barrely slinking out. In a moment of green spark, the magic worked through the weapon, molding it to a magnificient sword.
A sword that reminded Keith of Vladimir's. The one he kept close to him.
There was a single word inscribed on the hilt...
Honor.
Keith held the sword up to him, looking at it with a mild fascination that tempted itself on obsession. The sword had come to him, called to him. Vladimir himself had done this, a final present to the land of the living. Something Keith could use to put an end to everything, including Mongrel.
Keith stood his ground, feeling the Witch's presence around him. She had something for him, even if he didn't want to hear it. He held his new sword in hand, fingers tracing over the one word that would save his own soul.
"What is my part in all of this?"

 

[poohlive]

A sick and devastating black surrounded him, something unnatural and unserene. It dug into the back of your skull, making unimaginable pain. Piercing part of this were a single streetlamp, and leaning against it, with a killer grin plastered on his face, was none other than Lance himself.
The little fucker had made it.
Lance stuck his foot out, enough to stop the little lady in her track. He smalled the magic working through her, the ring's aura stenching her once fine and prim body.
Lance had to look her up and down as she stood there before him.
Fuckable, definitely fuckable. He could use her to, not just her body. They had some fun to do together.
Well, at least he did.
"Hello, hello, hello. You must be a ring holder, or whatever the fuck you are. A pretty little thing like yourself, all alone. Don't you know its dangerous..."
Lance leaned into her, licking his lips as he did so. He took in her scent, good clean sweat unmistakable magic, vampire, and something more, something that might be conspired as either arousal or fear.
Maybe both.
Lance whispered, "There are worse things out than vampires."
He laughed at that, standing up next to her. His full form became visible in the light now. Tall, broad shouldered, the blackened rune calling out to her. The dark magics within it made it hard for her to stare at it for too long.
Maybe she would give chase? He hoped she would. The hunt wasn't any fun if they just stood there and let it happen. No, he wanted to hunt the hunter.
Blood tasted so much sweeter when it was afraid.

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

She startled a little with a half shadowed man coming out of the darkness to stand in her path. A shiver passed down her, and not one she felt good about. He was broad and much taller than herself, but that wasn't the freaky part.. The worse feeling came from his words.

Who the hell did he think he was?! He did not know her, he had no knowledge of who she was or why she was there. It frightened her and inturn annoyed as well. She stepped back a step watching the strange mark on the man for a moment. It too sent chills down her spine.

"Sorry." She muttered off, moving backwards a few steps. "I did not know this area was taken." She retreated a few more steps, reluctant to turn her back to this stranger.

 

[poohlive]

"This area was taken?" He let the phrase play on his tongue, advancing step for step with her retreat. They both moved away from the single streetlamp, the darkness kissing at both their feet.
"What an interesting choice of words, my pet," Lance spoke it again, "The area is taken... taken. I don't think so... not yet. The area isn't taken yet, but the night is young. You are so beautiful."
In a heartbeat Lance's arm struck out to grab her's, he squeezed it with all his natural, unatural and magical strength running through his veins.
"You're so beautiful it sickens me. Beauty is a plague, fucking with the truth on this world. You know what I want?"
Lance raged, his words spitting in her face, "I want to take that beauty away from you."
Lance reached out with his other arm.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

STanding there looking into Josephs face I tense as suddenly sense Anna's panic. "Joseph we must find A.B NOW!!!!" I feel my power begin to surge through me "Lance??" I grab josephs arm pulling him, "We must find her she is in great danger....come with me please." The purple cresent moon begins to glow on my forehead, my eyes glowing a bright green my fangs extending as my temper begins to take hold. I delve into my power turning to Joseph I pause only a moment more, "Will you come with me???"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

We were idle here. Seemed like we had been since the ring first appeared on my finger, flying here and there, landing talking, flying, landing talking.
But here we were, outside a tent while Kieth spoke to the old lady, and what steps were we taking forward, toward our goal?
Idle.
Idle, yet things were happening.
I could sense that somehow, that while we stood here, things were progressing, moving forward. The fact that we were not a part of it suggested to me that those things moving forward were the things that would push us backward.
I hadn't been one to sense things, not like Isabelle had been. She'd been our "seer," our own little fortune teller. But now and again, I'd sense things happening or about to happen, and it seemed that this Ring was increasing that ability. Still vague, as I had no clue as to what was happening, or why, or who was involved, but I could sense things happening, changing, whatever...
"Something isn't right..."
"Many things aren't right."
I paused for a moment, not turning around. I knew his voice right off, but didn't quite believe I was hearing it.
"True," I replied, finally, staring out at nothing.
"And things are changing, aren't they, Christian?""They've changed so much already."
"Yes. Change. It's one of the things we simply cannot escape."
"One of them, yes," I replied.
Silence between us, to the extent that I thought he might have left without my knowing. Why not? He'd arrived as such."Where is she?"
"Who?"
"The Ringbearer."
"Aria?"
"No," he replied. "I wasn't certain Aria was still alive until I saw her here, as I approached. Much is on her mind, it seems."
"You know them all, do you?"
"No," he replied. "I just know of them. Unlike they of me."
"I haven't had much chance to mention you, I'm afraid," I replied.
I guessed he meant Kat by the title "Ringbearer," but she'd gone to retrieve Joseph, and I wasn't sure if she was coming directly back or not. Our group had grown into the habit of walking off and not explaining much as of late, it seemed.
I opened my mouth to explain where Kat had gone, but before the words reached my lips he was speaking again.
"I should have known she'd bring you. Or that you'd never let her leave alone, whichever was the case. I knew she had a part to pay in this as soon as you made her. I would have guessed she'd bear the Ring of Strength. She's certainly helped make you stronger. A warrior, yes. I'd always seen that in you, but she made you stronger still, made you love the thrill of battle like I'd never have guessed you could. That was why I was so pleased to see the two of you together, because I knew you'd protect her. Is that her ring? Strength?"
I said nothing. I was in shock.
"Where is she?"
I lowered my head, disbelieving. Could I have inherited this? It seemed impossible, but was it? Or perhaps she was supposed to live, and I was meant to die when the shotgun blast had taken her from me. We'd both been injured, but only one had died.
But that didn't feel right. It just didn't.
"Christian, where's Kayla?" Concern in his voice now.
"She's not here," I replied. "Perhaps she was never meant to be."
It was his turn to be silent.
"Perhaps she was meant to be my sacrifice. Maybe that was her place in all of this."
But that didn't feel right either; no more than it felt right that I'd inherited the ring from her. There was something that I wasn't catching on to.
I turned to him then, raising my eyes to meet his.
Darius, my old teacher and once father figure, looked back with eyes that appeared as though they'd been decieved, that the truth he'd never known had just slapped him in the face. Only his blue eyes told of his age. His blonde hair hung down like that of a thirty-year-old, and his six-foot-one frame was slightly muscled, like that of a man who barely has time to get to the gym.
He looked back, speechless.
I raised my hand, showing him the Ring.
He blinked.
"A shotgun blasts, beneath the city. I don't know who the attackers were, or why. Just that she's gone, and that I miss her."
He eyes the ring, then nodded slowly, still appearing lost, disbelieving even.
"I saw death when I left here, the death of someone unexpected. I'd thought it was Magdelin, but it seems otherwise now," he glanced back at the tent, then looked to me again, a little more composed, ready to get down to business it appeared. "But something has gone greatly awry. I'm not sure what, or who is involved, but something is wrong."
I nodded, almost wanting to smile, thinking that everything was wrong here.
He shook his head, as if he'd read my thoughts, and he might have.
"No, Christian," he said. "Something else, something that shoudn't have gone wrong. Something that should always be the same. I think I need to speak with Aria. There's too much that needs to be understood, and time is growing short."
I nodded, "I'll take you to her."
I looked around, seeing her standing where Kieth had been before entering the tent. She seemed distant, as she'd been since I'd met her really.
I led Darius over to her, now understaind even les than before. I guessed the wise thing to do was to listen as he spoke with Aria, then ask whatever questions might remain.
"Aria?" I began, trying to get her attention. "This is Darius. he says he needs to speak with you..."

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

"Let go!" She barked out in surprise and fear as soon as he made a grab for her. Being too slow to flee, she felt his vise like grip on her arm and winced in pain. She never got a chance to react before she felt the weakening pain on her bone. He was going to snap it if she didn't get away!

"You're so beautiful it sickens me. Beauty is a plague, fucking with the truth on this world. You know what I want?" His face was so close to her own she could see the blackness of his eyes. Her hand came up and gripped at his fingers, trying to pry them loose a little.

Tears clung to her lashes as she shook her head negatively.

"I want to take that beauty away from you." His voice dropped lower the menacing tone in it scared her shitless.

"No.." She whispered, still shaking her head. She sensed more than saw his arm coming up. He was going to grab her with both hands and there was no hope for her smaller body to escape him.

His strength was unatural, the hate in his eyes sickening physically to see. She growled a little, her nostrils flaring as she gasped for air. She had to fight against him to get away. There was only one thing she could think of to do.

She cried out as his hand tightened on her poor arm, raising her hand up in self defense she raked her nails down the side of his face, cutting into his skin. Yanking her hand back before he could grab it, she did three things at one. Went to poke him in the eye, jabbed him in the groin with her knee and screamed out for help, hoping to draw someone's attention.


Aria

"Aria?" Turning around, I stopped short when I noticed Christian had a new comer with him.

"This is Darius. He says he needs to speak with you..." Someone I had never seen before stood beside Christian, so how did he know who I was?

"Hello Darius... Speak with me about what?" Curious yes, uneasy, definately so. New people just popping up from no where and knowing who I am? It would make anyone uneasy and suspicous as well. Maybe Christian told this person who I was? Well, I'd just have to wait and see. Keeping a distance, I tried to relax a little and be a little more welcoming.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Magdellin (the Witch)

She was seated at her table, quietly watching the australlian cop intently.

"Honor Keith. Courage. Doing the right thing even when you don't want too. Those are admirable qualities about you, things that others would do good to learn of. Loyalty as well as understanding. You are one amoung many, but safer than they are. Here have a seat." She motioned to the chair and kept her eyes intently on his own. She wanted to see him bared so to speak. You can mask alot of things but never the eyes.

As soon as he seated himself, she took both his hands into her own. "Do you have the strength Keith? Vladamir did not and ended it himself. Bad choice, he could have been greater than even he thought possible. Choices, we all have them. Now it's up to you to make yours."

She paused, knowing she was being cryptic with her responces.

"You don't understand just yet but will. Listen and think before deciding. Where they are heading is life threatening each and every moment from here on out. You play no part in this quest I can for see .. BUT.. you are courageous, strong, loyal, honest. You have a gift they need, use it to their aid and your own aid. The future relies on all of this succeeding. For your own children's sake Keith.." She paused there, giving him something he did not know of. In his future, children.. A clue now it was up to him.