Woven Rings Of Destiny ( Continuation of The Family)

[poohlive]

It was broad daylight. The sun now far overhead, sending no shadows except for straight underneath. The humidity would have kept you out of the shade anyway. More often than not it was hotter when the sun didn't beat down on your back.
The sword glistened in the light. Far from cleaned and polished, but at least it looked like a weapon again. The hilt was still atrocious. A moss was growing over the thing.
He tore at part of his shirt, and used it as a makeshift handle. Just something to hold onto for the time being. He'd need to find a decent piece of leather to really wrap this up. Maybe a shop somewhere around here could even help him get a new hilt on the thing, it didn't look...
He glanced up, seeing a figure off in the distance. Before he could blink he was on his feet, the sword now held tightly in his hand.
Willow moved like lightening. Before he was nearly 100 yards away from him, but it took a second for him to be right inside the clearing. His hair wisping around his sunken face as he glanced at Lance.
"You would never come alone," Lance growled, somewhere deep in his throat. His patience had gotten short since this afternoon. This was far worse though, far worse. There were no fakes, no switches, and the real enemy was still hidden.
Lance turned slightly to the side, letting trying to find someone, to hear something. There was nothing though. At least nothing he could detect.
"Now, now, Lance. I know we've all been through a lot, but I come here in peace. Actually, I have something I want to give you."
Lance didn't dignify that with a response. The sword was still held firmly in his hand, and he growled low in his throat. A gutteral sound of hate and impatience.
"I am getting paid Lance. Millions of dollars, and I know I could cut you in on a great deal. Come on man, all I need are the rings.
Come on man, why waste your time with these idiots? You could have some real power."
There it was, a movement off to the side. Lance switched just in time, his feet planting themselves as a blur came towards him.
The sword raised up just in time.
Robert's club came down, hard. The sword blocked most of the blow, but it still caught his arm. He was thrown into the air, landing on the side of the aged wall. It gave way under him, and he fell through as rock and dust enveloped him.
Robert gave a hearty grunt as he moved over to finish the job.
Willow couldn't help but smile. Inside one of his bags was what he was looking for.
"I'm sorry we couldn't come to a deal," he said, not even bothering to look at the end. He bent down, glancing at the bike.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Knuckles tight on the wheel, arms and shoulders tense and tight, I knew if I didn't get to him soon enough.. Something would happen.
I hadn't seen something from the future before, this was a possible screw up... But I couldn't take that chance. We needed him, we needed his help and his knowledge. Without it....

I didn't want to think about that. My foot sank harder to the floor, burying the needle as far as I could... driving as fast as i could.. Reacklessly, of course.. but there wasn't time to worry about my own safety.

I watched the approaching plateau's ahead, I was creeping closer and closer by the second, but damned if I wasn't impatience and wanting to be there NOW!

My heart still hammered in my chest, my teeth were wearing a nasty cut in my upper lip as I chewed unmercifully on the tender skin.

My palms sweaty and a fly buzzing in the van was annoying me. Almost there.. It was all I could think of.

The scene playing over and over in my mind, a bad remake.. a bad out come if it were true...

Time would only tell, and the swiftness of my arrival. Lord, I hoped he was here and not somewhere else. The thoughts all nagging my brain, telling me doubts and then saying I was a ninny for my reaction.

I would race my ass off and either, one.. he wouldn't be there.. or two he would be there but unharmed. Too many scenarios not enough certains...

Turning the van onto the turn off, I sped over the washboard road a little slower than before. The vibrating waking me up from my reverie, I was close.. A few more minutes..

 

[Shoty98]

Maggie

I stood in the center of the large cavern, watching the dust come rolling down from the entrance.
She was off to save Lance? Who the hell was Lance and why was he so important? I shrugged away the thoughts in my head and looked to Ray and then Michael.
Michael had only stirred a bit when his mother tore out of here like a bat out of hell, sleeping soundly once again. This kid could sleep like the dead! I mused silently.
I chuckled softly to myself and went about gathering up everything, piling it neatly at the entrance to the main cavern. I didn't want to risk putting it at the entrance of this maze. Someone could easily take off with it.
On my excursion I found a bag that interested me. It was full of swords of all kinds and shapes, daggers of the same. All sharpened to a to the point I was sure that they would slice a tree in two with no problems.
There was a shuffle of wood at the entrance of the maze of caves, I paused for a moment and listened intently. There was no more noise I chalked it up to the last of the wooden shards falling to the ground.
A short time later all was gathered and ready for when Aria returned. With a sigh I sat down against the wall and closed my eyes, breathing deeply and just relaxing. This had been one hell of a long three days, and I feared that it would only get worse before it got better.
We had vampires after us wanting the book, other vampires only wanting to see the book destroyed so they didn't have to give up this life and others who just wanted god knows what. It was all too much to think about at the moment.
My thoughts were interupted by the same shuffling sound. I knew this time it wasn't just the wood, something or someone was here. What did they want? I wasn't sure and was not about to stand around and find out. Stop them before they could come any farther....protect Michael, was what I kept on telling myself.
I glanced up at Ray, he didn't seem to be bothered by the sound as he sat back and stretched out. As quietly as I could I slipped off my shoes and reached into the bag beside me. Retrieving from it a long thin sword, it had looked heavy but when I picked it up it felt like a feather.
A wicked grin curled the edge of my lips when I thought back to what I had done to escape the captors yesterday. I had strength I had never had before, or was it just that I hadn't realised it? Who cared? I had it and would use it to protect my family.
My heart hammered like a jack hammer, as I made my way to the entrance of the caves. "This time you will not catch me off guard!" I whispered. Suddenly all the shuffling stopped, but I did not. I kept moving slowly and watched.
I could hear two people whispering back and forth to each other.... "Did you hear that? Someone knows we're here, you dummy you were to loud!" The man sounded like he was about to blow his cork when the other man interupted. "It's alright, so we draw one out at a time, that only makes our job easier in the end. Alright!? now quit your belly achin and let's go."
Their feet shuffled in the dirt again and I could hear them getting closer. I held my breath for a moment, unsure why, but did it anyways. I stopped for a moment in my tracks, holding firmly to the hilt of the sword and thinking back to a time when I had seen one used. Vlad had deffinately make it look easy enough, and that gave me the confidence I needed.
Moving once more I found myself ready to turn a corner in the corridor. I took a deep breath and grasped the sword until my knuckles were white with the effort. Stepping around the corner I found myself face to face with one of the men. We both hopped back, startled at how close we were.
I grinned at the man "Looking for something?" I querried with an arched brow. The man did not hesitate for a moment and began rambling on and on about being lost. Inwardly I laughed, the sorry excuse for a liar, couldn't even keep his story straight.
"You lie horribly, now get your partner and get the hell out of here, you're not getting what you came for."
I hoped with all my might that they would heed my words. I doubted that I could take them both and Ray was not really in the shape to fight them either. His wounds had not yet healed and he had not fed.
The man before me laughed "I will leave with what I came for and your not big enough to stop me." I heard a noise behind me and side stepped to my left. In a flash the man I had been speaking to was on the ground, blood running from his forhead.
"Tsk tsk... you should really learn not to bash your partner like that, he is gonna be one angry son of a bitch when he comes to. But then again..." I smiled sweetly "You may not live to see him come to."
Raising the sword high and to the left I swung it at him, watching as he jumped back far enough that only the tip sliced through the skin at his mid-section. He howled in pain and charged at me, but before I could side step him he knocked me to the ground. I fought and strugged beneath his weight and finally got a knee between us and shoved him off, watching him land roughly on the ground near the entrance.
In a rush I looked around the ground for the sword but could not find it, until I looked at the man once more. He had a horrid toothless grin on his face and he held the sword firmly in his left hand "Looking for something?" and began to laugh.
I pulled myself up off the ground, taking up with me a board about the size of a baseball bat. As he stepped closer to me I took a chance glance at his friend to find him still laying on the ground but coming to, rather quickly.
Turning my attention back to the other man I stepped back as he swung the sword at me, the tip of it caught my cheek and sliced it open good and wide. I hardly felt the pain as the adrenaline pumped through me. It stung, but that was about it. I stepped forward and took a swing at him with the wood, I didn't even come close and he countered takinf several inches off of the weapon I held.
My eyes watered with the stinging I felt and I could barely see him. I listened carefully to his movements but couldn't quite tell where exactly he was. Blindly I swung again and contacted this time. I heard bone crunch just before I heard him growl with pain. If I could get him down, there would only be one left to fight. I kept on worrying about the fallen one, wondering if and when he would get up.
I didn't have to worry about it long, moments later I felt a hand clamp down over my mouth and the other wrapped tightly around my body. Struggling escaped me for the moment as I listened to him speak "All we want is the boy, don't make us hurt you to get him. Now shall we do this easy or hard?" He asked with a tone of laughter in his voice, a challenge say fight if you dare.
Fight is what I did I kick at the man in front of me knocking him off balance and to the ground. I struggled against the one holding me, suddenly remembering a move my brother had taught me. I grasped hold of his hand and stepped back. He went flying over me to land on the ground.
Quickly I slammed the peice of wood against the ground causing the end of it to splinter and rammed it straight home into his heart. His body crumpled to ash before my eyes, and all I could do was stare in amazement. A moment later I heard a rustle of dirt beneath shoes and loked up in time to see the other man standing over me, the sword in his hand, the tip pressed against the flesh just above my heart. I took in a deep calming breath and smiled at him, would he do it.....or would he not......

 

[nightray]

Ray

I open my eyes as I her grunt and muffled cries coming from the entrance cave. I look arund quickly realizing that Maggie is in the room with me. I growl under my breath as I stand moving to the door looking behind me to be sheer that Mickey is still sleeping.

I walk in to the cave taking in the sight of two vamps fighting with Maggie she’s doing fine if there was only one of them she would have one I smile as she kills one of them. But my smile fades fast as the other points the sword at her.

With out another thought I dart in to the room slamming my shoulder in to the one holding the sword to Maggie’s chest. We hit the floor in a hip fist jabbing viciously in to one another as we fight for the sword. The sound of flesh being hit fills the room as I slam my forehead hard in to his face. I smile grimly as I hear the sound of bones snapping as his nose crumples grotesquely under my blow cossing blood to erupt form his face.

I role to my back as he screams with pain and rage, I manage to get my feet under him and I heave hard throwing him up in to the air my arm moves like a wipe a knife seeming to appear out of no wear in my hand and then it moves like a silver streak threw the air slamming in to the manes eye socket. I lay panting for breath as a mist of ash falls from the air.

I look arund seeing that Maggie is ok I smile weekly as I hold my side where the built wounds had reopened and large black and dark perppal bruises are forming from the manes fists. I stand up groaning with the pain as I slowly walk over to Maggie. I put my hand to the cut on her cheek as I shake my head. “You did well my love I’m proud of you, But you should have woken me to help he could have killed you just know.” I lean in and kissing her gently on the lips before doubling over with pain. I cough up some blood and shuddering slightly “I think he managed to bust some of my ribs.” I shudder as I force my self to stand and walk back to the living room my arm arund Maggie’s shoulders leaning on her slightly.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Erika

I drove towards an old part of town, somewhere I felt could be a safer location. Out here there were groups of everything. All cult followers, some actually genuine and dangerous.
Here they seen it all and heard it all, here I wouldn't be out of place. But still as I drove along the road, slowly checking the signs for a motel, the fear crept up my spine.
Any fool would be scared here. Our own kind was here, camped everywhere. Lurking and hunting the neighborhood and their own clan as well. There were those who thought they were vampire, tearing shit up. And there were older clans here who were stingy with their area.
I spotted an old tavern looking inn and pulled over. Glancing through the dingy window I stared up at the sign. This place would have to do, for now.
Stepping out of the car, my hand on the door frame, I started to shut the door and walk in. Something stopped me, a shiver of cold up my back and an intense itching on my neck as well.
Premonition of some kind? My arm hurt, as did my shoulder. I needed to rest, going on would be madness in this condition.
My eyes scanned the rooms facing the street, I seen nothing, but I knew something was there.
Never a coward, and not one to run, I shut the door to go inside and once more paused. Glancing around the street I seen people, just watching me. I did not like this feeling, nor these eyes I felt on me every movement.
Moving to the backdoor, I reached inside and pulled out my few things. The sword and my daggers the most important things I carried. I watched those like a hawk, I wouldn't be unprotected again. Slinging the strap over my shoulder I hunched down a little and took myself inside.
I was well known, I could thank Vladamir for that. I smiled faintly, I missed him. So when the motel clerk seen me and spoke my name, I wasn't the least bit shocked.
"A room Madam Robards?" I moved towards the desk and nodded my head, still studying those lurking in the corners. "Some where dark and secure, and I need to body guards if you know of anyone skilled for hire..?" I met his gaze as he tried to question with just a gaze. Shaking my head, I warned him not to ask too many questions.

 

[BLACK BART]

I stepped from behind the curtain...

"Let Madam Robards get settled and then buzz her room" I told the hotel attendant quietly "Inform her you have found several body guards that may prove trustworthy"

The man twisted in my mental grasp....and I laid my hand on his shoulder and squeezed

"Do NOT fail me or you will curse yourself as you spend eternity in hell" I warned him, smiling as the bone cracked under my fingertips. "Trust me, there are few that call it paradise"

I needed his aura to be truly human, unmarked and untainted with my own presence...After he served his purpose he would serve as food for my growing collection of bloodslaves....

"Instruct her if she wishes to meet those people to come to my room"

His eyes were wide as I continued to press my fingers together as I warned again..."There is nothing you can do for this one, but you can ease the suffering you feel, meditate on this before you speak to her"

I moved away....The number of bloodslaves I had created had grown...and it was with increasing difficulty I dampened thier presence here...and controlled them...

 

[Sweetp4u]

Erika

A timid sounding knock rattled my door slightly, curious who would be coming to me here, yet prepared for the worse, I gathered the daggers in my hand and moved towards the shut portal.
"Who is it?" I spoke softly, my breath held as I listened to the sounds on the other side.
"Madam Robards?" He softly quieried.
"Yes?" My hand fisted on the daggers, something wasn't right here. He had no reason to come to me?
"The body guards you requested Madam? There is a gentleman here whom is for hire. He said to tell you to come to his room."
I squinted a little at the wood before my face, trying to see into this man's mind, but knowing I could not.
"I see, and this man's name and room number?"
"All I kn-know is his room number Madam. Three Oh four."
"Thank you, good night." I never opened the seperating portal, I never let go of the daggers as well.
Who had been listening to the conversation between myself the motel clerk? Someone sneaky because no one was near enough to hear when I spoke earlier.
My body still throbbed with every excurciating heart beat, my shoulder still stiff, though blood no longer flowed freely. Now what was I to do? Go to this man's room and ask about these guards?
"Yeah right.." I snorted a little unlady like but I wasn't blond nor dense. Something smelled fishy to me, perhaps I should go and see what it was? My free hand tightened on the door handle as I thought about exiting my room and going to this man. I did need help, I did need protection. But I was vulnerable right now as well.
Reluctant to give up and yet more so to go out, I let go of the handle and stepped back. Walking to the phone I picked it up and dialed the main desk.
"Tell the gentleman in 304 to ring my room, 201. I will speak with him that way, thank you." I hung up the phone and sat against the wall, facing the door for anything unexpected. I would not, no! I could not afford to slack off again. My life was at stake now.

 

[Shoty98]

While you were out

He stood in the shadows, his shoulder propped against the stone wall of the cave. So far all had gone as planned the two of them were alone. And here she goes off to investigate the noise. An evil grin spread lazily over his masculine features.
Now all he had to do was wait for the big guy here to follow suit and he could make his move. Ricardo stood there for what seemed like forever, surely those half-wits would have the woman taken care of. He picked a piece of flesh from between his teeth and grunted with satisfaction as the big man got up from the couch and strode toward the corridor to the main entrance.
“Perfect” He mused silently. Ricardo waited for a few seconds to make sure the man was going to be gone for a while. His reason was confirmed and his wait halted when he heard the scuffle going on near the main entrance.
Striding to the couch where the boy lay sleeping, he picked him up. Michael stirred in his arms and looked up at Ricardo, rubbing a chubby little hand at his eyes and asking who he was. “I am a friend of your mothers, she sent me to get you and take you to her. Alright?” The boy smiled a confident smile at him and Ricardo knew he had him….and without a fight, so to speak.
Ricardo looked up as the sounds of the scuffle stopped and all was quiet once more. They were coming back, he knew it full well and knew he had to get out as silently as he could. He turned on his heel, boy in hand and left the way he came. Through a dark passage, he worked his way toward the opening he had found.
As he emerged from the small entrance his shoulders shook with mirth, they had thought they were so safe, but Ricardo had found a loophole in their safety net. How would they feel about that when they found out? He didn’t care. He had done his job and put the group, or what was left of them, closer to the money that had been promised.
Ricardo started for his motorcycle, he watched Michael’s face light up at the sight of the bike. He ran his free hand through his hair, this almost seemed to easy. But that thought dwindled away to nothing when he stretched a long leg over the bike and set the boy down in front of him. “Here we go Michael, ready to go see your mom?”
Ricardo smiled at the boys joyous look, started the bike and off they road into the dusk of evening, the meeting point on his mind.

 

[Shoty98]

Maggie

My heart beat like butterfly wings in my chest. I had come so close to death and had been saved once more by Ray. I trembled as I stood, but not with fear, with adrenaline. That had to be the coolest thing I had ever experineced!
I gigled silently as Ray scolded me, I knew I should have woke him up and I had my reasons for not doing just that. Would he ever know? Nope not as long as I lived.
Carefully I put an arm around him and helped him back down the corridor to the main cave. He was hurting and I knew it, I could feel his pain and knew what needed to be done.
"Thank you love for saving me. We need to worry about getting you on the road to recovery."
As we entered the main room, nothing looked out of place. All was as we left it. I took Ray to the couch and helped him to sit down.
I felt bad for him, he had been hurt trying to save my stupid butt, but all I could do was help him out now. So I went to the cave where the extra supplies were and grabbed a towel.
There was still warm water left from when I had bathed Michael and done dishes, grabbing it as well I took it into the other room and began to clean up Ray's wounds.
A few moments later something dawned on me. Michael had been sleeping on this couch when we left, but now he was no where in sight.
My heart pounded fiercely, had he wandered off? I wasn't sure but I panicked. "Oh god Ray! Did you move Michael?" He looked down at the couch beside him and back at me, shaking his head. "Dammit, we've got to find him....maybe he woke up and wandered off. Let's search the caves."
I had no idea the immence proportion of this little hiding place Aria had brought us to. There were twists and turns, smaller caves off of bigger ones. My mind was dizzy as I ran around the maze, calling out Michaels name. Tears streamed down my face when I met up with Ray in the main cave.
"Find him love? I can't believe this....we...oh god Aria is going to kill us..me." I broke down for a moment and sat down on the floor, where the hell would he have gone and why wouldn't he answer us?
I shook my head. I didn't want think of the reason why Michael wouldn't answer us. It hurt to much to think that I had not been a responsible caretaker of my family.

 

[poohlive]

The dust hung still in the air. It was stale and dry inside the ruined building, and with the dust as it were, it was hard for him to see, even with his vision.
Something from the right collided with him. It felt like a truck. He was hurled back to the wall. This time, it stuck behind him. Lance's impacted shifted it, but it stayed there, and he stayed with it. On his hands and knees, he looked at the big ogre coming up to him.
In the dense of the dust it was nothing more than a dull gray against a lighter gray.
This was no good, he couldn't keep up fighting this thing in here. His sight was gone, he had no weapon, and that thing was killing him. He winced as his hand gently covered his side, blood was dripping to the ground.
This thing didn't fuck around.
He glanced upward, at where the ceiling once stood two hundred years ago. Now, the morning sun was beaming down against the dust still clouding the area. The wall on the side of him was only fifteen feet high.
Crouching close to the ground, he lifted himself.
A whoosh sound came right next to him, and he heard a dull thud as he rocketed upward. That club was aimed for his head, he had no doubt about that.
Through the dust, through the dark mist blinding him, he looked up to see perfectly clear sky above, the landscape all around them.
He stopped, and then fell back down, landing on his hands and knees outside the ancient church.
Willow glanced up at him for a second, then returned to once of the bags. He tossed clothes, money, and food out of it, glancing at different things.
Lance ran at him, but stopped as a huge thub sound shook the entire earth. He slid to a stop, glancing back at Robert. His club was poised, ready to strike.
"You mother fucker," Willow spat, grabbing the book out of the second bag, "I knew you would pulll some shit like this. Giving me a false book? I outta gut you where you stand."
Lance never took his eyes off of Robert, who took a step towards him.
"Come on Willow, do it. Why don't you gut me, see how far it gets you?"
"Lance, quit whining. You'd think you would be more of a man about this. Stand up straight, take your medicine."
Lance took another step back. His foot hit something hard, he glanced down to see his sword. His heart seemed to leap inside his chest, if he could just grab it before this beast struck him, he would have a chance.
His side was killing him, and Willow's remarks weren't helping. This was a dire situation, he was beginning to think that it wouldn't work at all. Willow would take the book and the rings, and then he would have all the power.
Robert had stopped though.
Lance looked at him, not as a threat, but curiously this time. He was no longer staring at his target. His eyes were behind Lance, over at Willow.
Turning back for just a moment, Lance then saw it, the book in Willow's hand. Robert wanted the book, that's why he was here. Lance didn't have a doubt that Willow must have promised the book's safe return, otherwise this beast never would have left the cave.
The book was the key. It was the reason they were all here, and it would be the only thing to save his life.
"He's going to keep it you know," Lance said, his voice more brave than he sounded. This was the only card he could play at the moment. His last fitch effort to save the entire planet.
"He's going to keep it, and then use it to destroy you."
Willow had moved his search past to the bike, looking desperately for the rings. His head turned sharply at this though. Willow's eyes became slits in his head.
"Robert, don't listen to him. I promised you revenge, he took the book from it's sacred place, he broke the promise."
Lance cursed under his breath. This had turned from a battle to a plea for life. Robert could kill both of them right now, and Lance's only chance was to show him Willow was planning to trick him.
"He wants the book for himself, look at him. He clutches it to himself even now. He only cares for the book."
Lance heard a grumble from behind him. Willow was grinding his teeth.
"I care not for the book, if you want it so show my loyalty then here, take it."
Willow threw the book. Robert's eyes quickly went upward to watch it. This was Lance's only chance. It was only a few seconds, but that was all he needed.
In an instant he dropped to the ground, the sword instantly going to his hands. He gripped the impromptu handle tightly in his hand. Robert snatched the book from the air.
Lance rushed him.
Robert's eyes dawned to the attack now upon him. Seconds didn't even matter, it was parts of a second that took place. Time seemed to slow down at Lance raised the sword high. The club, still in Robert's heft arms came across at rapid speed. It was a pity attack, but with his strength it didn't need to be.
It got him right where it had gotten him before, in tbe chest.
The sword went down, plunging itself deep into flesh. Robert screamed as Lance received the full blow, being thrown off into the grass.
A deadly screamed excaped both their lips, as pain shot through them. The sword, embedded high in his chest, sent gallons of blood escaping from him. The book now lay on the ground next to him, forgotten, as the sword still stayed inside of him.
Lance couldn't see very well though, his vision was filled with red. Things were very blurry at the moment. His whole chest screamed with pain, and he could feel a stinging pain that only came with open wounds.
As he glanced down, he closed his eyes to take out the vision that had passed him. Ribs had broken and peeled away from flesh. It was an indented wound that sent shards of bone to each and every one of his vital organs. His heart beat irratically, his lungs filled with blood.
Breathing was getting so hard.
Willow shrugged his shoulders, walking over to the still monster. He had laid down a lot quieter than Lance. The wound was deeper, and he had lost more blood.
If Lance had landed on his side, or his back, he would probably be in the same position.
"Such a shame," he picked up the book, dusting off the cover, "Well, at least you saved me the trouble of killing him myself. I do owe you that, I'll be sure to tell Erika how much you helped."
His hands, bloody and bruised, reached down to the ground, and with extreme effort, pushed himself up. It seemed to take ages.
"It's not over," he said, barely above a whisper, blood spewing from his mouth as he said it. Pain and torment lurched through his body, but hate and anger brewed there too. It dulled everything for a little bit.
"Look at you Lance, I don't know how you're still alive, but it's over. Just count yourself lucky, I mean you defeated the great Robertian of ancient legend. I'd say you are the baddest mother fucker of your time, but that's over. It's time to let some new blood step in."
Carefully, very carefully he got his footing under him. Blood poured from his broken body, sometimes in drips, other times in long drawn out spills. It was sickening to his ears.
"It's not over Willow."
Sighing, Willow dropped the book, and pulled the sword from Robert. Blood came out and spilled once more on the ground. The bloody blade glinted at the sun.
"It will be," he gritted through his teeth, walking towards Lance.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Finally! I never felt so scared in my life and so alive at the same time. I had made it to the plateau, around the other side was the ruins. Turning the wheel, I took the van off of the road a little ways until I was certain if I kept going it would be stuck.
Shutting it off, I opened the door and stepped out. The hard compact ground beneath my feet not giving way to the imprint of my foot. It hadn't rained here in a long time, and why I noticed? Who knows.
I turned and checked my daggers, both in place. I needed something more though, this wasn't enough. I was preparing for a battle if my vision had been correct.
Running behind the van I threw open the rear doors and looked inside. All out luggage had been taken out, all our weapons in those damned bags and boxes.
"Fuck!" I was frustrated, but not giving up. Running around to the passenger side of the van I opened the door and searched under the seats. Still nothing of value as a weapon. Searching the glove box produced nothing as well.
Well shit. Wiping my sweating hands on my jeans I shut the door and began walking. My mind going over all the possibile scenarios that could be happening or could happen and how I could defend myself.
My training had prepared me for hand to hand combat with several people but only a few sizes larger than I was. Robert was a hulking beast of some mythical kind I would venture to guess, and if I had to battle him, I couldn't see winning.
I cleared the side of the plateau and spotted the worn out church, or whatever it was. I could make out three people there. Two standing one on the ground. Neither looked to be as large as Robert who were upright.
Taking off at a dead run, the wind howling by my ears, I raced towards them. As I got closer I slowed down and fumbled with my leg straps to get the daggers released. Having to stop a moment, I cursed under my breath, neither had seen me just yet.
That was the ONLY thing in my favor right now. Pulling free my two daggers, I took off again. Heart thundering in my chest I reached Lance's bike and halted.
I could see the other vehicle Willow had arrived in, Robert was bleeding all over the ground. The stench from this beast's blood made me want to vomit. Covering my mouth with the back of my wrist a moment, I turned my eyes to Willow and Lance.
"WILLOW!" I stood waiting for him to turn and look at me. Time to face someone not injured and quite capable of fucking his world up.
I had to calm my nerves and steady myself for an attack. Poised I waited for his head to turn and his eyes to meet mine.

 

[BLACK BART]

I stood by the night stand and smiled as the phone rang continually...There was no doubt who it was calling...or why...she was cautious, Erika was all of that....But would she remain that way when she heard a voice that was so familiar and promised so much?

I raised the receiver and spoke

"Come now, Erika. I offer my help to you and invite you to my dwelling and this is how you treat me? Mistrust and hate to one that could be such a powerful ally? I must assume you want none of me then and bid you adieu..."

I laid the receiver down quietly, her gasp the only response I heard or wanted as it settled into the cradle and smiled....

Now time would tell....

 

[poohlive]

Lance cursed under his breath as he looked back at her. Why had she come, why was she putting herself involved into this?
White crossed his vision, for a moment blurring everything, he stumbled back a step as he caught his footing. He had lost so much blood, and from the constant dripping it didn't seem as if he were done.
Even if he got out of this alive, things seemed bleak. They always did when one tried to cross the books path. There was only death.

Willow turned, looking at the new arrival. For a moment surprise covered his face. Had he been mistaken? She was supposed to be in the cave if he remembered, with the others.
What in the hell?
The sword in one hand, he grabbed for his cell phone.
"My dear, you've arrived just in time. I would have hated for this act to go unnoticed," he pointed the sword at what was left of Lance.
"His death surely deserves at least one witness, don't you think?"
He got the number for the men down at the cave, watching it, talking to them, but his eyes still tranfixed them on this would be heroine.
"What the fuck, this whore is here, now what in the hell happened back there, you were supposed to...."
The man cut him off, speaking quickly and with great excitement. For a moment he was about to chew the man's head off, but then he stopped.
All of a sudden they lit up. It was the look of a kid who just came down for christmas. That glint in his eye that still thought Santa was real, and reindeer had landed on his house.
Things were forming fast in his mind now. Devious twisted plots coming to him.
"I want you to listen to this," he said, loudly once more, a plan coming to form inside his head. Such chaos and demented ideas ran through him.
"If I don't call back in ten minutes," he said, loud enough for her to hear, "I want you to kill him. Slit his tiny little throat and watch the blood run down his body, you got that?"
He pulled the phone away from his ear, not wanting to hear the protest from the person on the other line. He was aware of Erika's plans for the boy, but for now things just couldn't have gone any better.
Putting it back to his ear, Willow spoke, "Put him on the line."
Willow threw the phone at Aria's feet, "I want you to pick it up mother. I want you to pick it up, and say goodbye to your son."
Some days it just paid to be the evil villan.

Lance couldn't hear much of what was going on. He had saved the last of his strength to reach himself from the pit of death. His arms were growing cold, and it was beginning to hurt to move them.
This pain was different though. It wasn't a stinging pain, or an aged pain, or a muscle pain, it was the pain of flesh not wanting to work anymore. As if his very soul were tired, and wanted to rest.
It took so much of him just to stand. Although Willow's back was to him, he couldn't sum up the strenth to attack. His vision was blurred way beyond seeing anything but shapes. Grays were all that came across from him. Ghosts of dark gray passing through the general mist of gray his eyes were now lost in.
For the first time in his life, he could feel death coming for him.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I stood still as I listened to him rant and rave like a lunatic.
"His death is pointless, you're just being cruel! Let him go." I moved closer to him, watching carefully, trying not to look at Lance too long.
He was so mangled up, I didn't know what to do. The blood was everywhere, his clothes, hair. I had to remain focused on Willow, and that is what i did.
Blocking out Lance's movements and noises I kept my eyes on Willow's.
I stopped cold in my tracks as Willow spoke loudly into the phone.
Kill who?!
I moved forward again, intending on sinking my dagger into his black heart when he turned and threw the phone at my feet.
"I want you to pick it up mother. I want you to pick it up, and say goodbye to your son."

"M-My son!? What have you done to my son!? You lie!" I shook my head, my temper clawing it's viscious way out of my subconcious and ready to strike him dead.

I bent down and took the phone, "Hello?"
"Mommy? dis man says ta say hi, i love you." He giggled and the phone was taken away from his sweet little voice.
My world stood still as the phone dropped from my numb fingers and a tear slid down my face.
Hands shaking I could barely hold the daggers in my hands as I stood dumbfounded.
Growling in rage I went for him, Moving with the speed and precision of my training, ready to kill the bastard.
"...If I dont call back in ten minutes.. slit his little throat..."

I stopped short and a helplessness came into my eyes.
"YOU SICK FUCK!" I stopped, shaking, raging inside like a madman! I wanted his death, I could taste his blood on my tongue.

 

[poohlive]

Willow looked into her eyes. He wanted to see the defeat in there. A wild animal has this look, of freedom, of strength, of pure animal instinct. There's survival in there. An inner feeling of power and strength, something to show everyone that you are not something to be messed with.
When they get caged, that looks stays on them. The lion will walk around for hours, that look on his face, looking for a way out, a way to be free again. After a while though, that light is gone, the spark dwindles from their eyes. They just sort of glaze over, and the lion stops walking, stops trying to escape.
He just lays down and dies.
That was the look he saw in her right now.
"Ten minutes," he spoke aloud. No longer holding the sword up defensively. He didn't need a weapon in this fight anymore. There was much more deadly weapons than a simple blade.
"Ten minutes is all that you have to make a simply decision."
He took the sword, weighing it in his hands, and then threw it at Lance's feet.
Lance didn't seem to recognize it, or if he did, he hid it fairly well by rocking steadily back and forth.
"I will call, and I will tell my friends not to harm a pretty little head on that boy of yours, if you just do a simple favor for me. Lance has been here awhile, and..."
he laughed as he looked at the sight of the man, who shouldn't even be standing at this moment, it was both sad and happy at the same time.
"... and seen better days, I believe."
He walked over to her, his presence that of power, and dominance. An air of confidence that despite what was going through her, no harm would come to him.
"Just run him down sweety," he stepped past her, walking over to the phone, now lying forgotten in the dust. He didn't bother to pick it up, there was no need.
"Kill him, end the world of his plague, " he picked up the phone, dusting it off and placing it back in his suit pocket, "His disease, his fucked up problems, just slice that piece of steel through what is left of his heart, and I'll make sure your son lives to see tomorrow."
He picked up the book once more. Blood was all around it, but it seemed fine otherwise. The blood didn't look like it would stain. Willow doubted anything short of the devil himself could even tear a page from this ancient transcript. He took out a small handkerchief and wiped it clean.
"I leave it to you," he said, calmly as if he were asking her what sort of breakfast she wanted, "Lance's life, or your sons. It is, of course entirely up to you, I could care less.
"Personally though," his voice turned into just above a whisper, almost confiding in her, "Lance will probably die anyway. I would choose just to end it here and now, not let him suffer."
His hands went up in the air, as defense though, "Of course, I'm not telling you what to do, just giving some suggestion."
He checked his watch. 9 minutes.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I stood there, gaping at him like he had lost his fucking mind!

"You want me to k-kill Lance? To save my s-son?" I shook my head, I was so bewildered by this.

My eyes went to Lance's and all I could think of was How do I do this? How do I not do this? This man or my son?

Lance had saved my life, how could I repay him with killing him?!

"How do I know you won't kill my son once Lance is dead?"

My hands clenched in fists as I moved towards Lance, my hands reaching out and steadying him on his feet. Tears fell down my cheeks as I gazed into his eyes.

"I dont know what to do.." I whispered brokenly. I glanced down his body, my mind clearing a little as I thought it over.

He had my son, my little baby boy.. Probably the only one I would ever have again? What could I do?

"Six minutes." I heard him chime.

 

[poohlive]

Willow watched as she went over to her friend. He didn't care much anymore, the offer was on the table, and as much fun as he liked watching her squirm, there were more important matters to attend.
He bent down against the bike, looking for a secret compartment or a box small enough to hold the rings. There was nothing though, absolutely nothing.
He cursed, hitting the bike with his bare first. It left a small indent.
"You don't, sweety," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "In all honesty I can smash the phone right now and be done with the thing. I won't even let you decide, I'll do it for you."
The stupid bitch, questioning him. The rings weren't here. It didn't matter though, he had gotten the book, the real book, and now with Michael's son there was some powering leverage for Aria, there was no telling what he could do.


Lance felt something familiar. It was warm against his flesh, or maybe it just felt warm to him. The cold he was feeling had spread slowly. It was now moving up his arms.
"Aria," the word nearly fumbled from his mouth as more blood slipped past his lips. His white teeth were accented from the dark red blood in his mouth.
"Never thought I'd see you agan," he almost laughed if he knew it wouldn't hurt so bad, the world had gone away. There was no more gray, no more lights and darks. There was only dark, a blackness.
Somewhere out in that forest of dark, Aria was there. She was so close, but to him so far away. And she was asking him for help. He wasn't sure, he didn't know much of a way to help her. In all honesty he needed his own help.
His ears were still working, but the past conversation was oblivious to him. After Aria had stopped the fight, his strength was concentrated on keeping himself alive.
His feet were beginning to buckle under him. Only by sheer instinct did he grab out for air, luckily it caught Aria. He held on for dear life.
Which wasn't far from the truth.
"Just... just make me comfortable," he said, barely above a whisper, blood once again staining what was left of his shirt. He knew the inevitable was coming, and he would have liked to just be comfortable when it did.
"Just... just," although he repeated what he just said, the words were inaudible, nothing more than a collection of vowels and consenants.



Willow checked his watch once again, five minutes left. Her time was half way over. He looked back at her as he saw the situation grow dire.
"Aria, I wouldn't give you this choice unless I were to keep my own word. I could care less about your son, whether he lives or dies, my only problem lies here with Lance. He's been a menace for too long, and I just want to see him breath his last."
Willow shrugged his shoulders, "I give you my word, if you take it fine, if you don't, then just let the time run out, and we can see. I believe it's four minutes now"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I helped Lance to the ground and righted myself back upright.

He was dying, nothing could change that, right?

I would never know either way, I had a choice to make and I knew my choice before the first minute was up. I only prayed Lance could forgive me.

Tears streaming down my face, I glanced down at Lance once more and then back up to Willow's face.

Resigned, I had no other choice, I bent down and picked up the sword. I would beg and plead, but some how I knew it would just waste valuable time.

"I have money.... I can give you.. " Sniffling I looked down at Lance and back up again. "I am a rich woman, I can give you whatever price you want?" It was my last option, the only thought in my mind. Joseph had left me more money than I would ever need.. And to save my son I would give it all up. "Just let my son go and let Lance live?" I pleaded softly, watching Lance struggle with each breath. "Millions... think about it?"

I held the sword in one hand, testing the weight and the sharpness. It was an old weapon, dirty but still worthy. It just need a sharpening stone taken to it.

I knealt down by Lance, the sword resting across my lap as I took his hand in mine. I waited for Willow's choice, yes or no was all I waited for before I chose.

 

[poohlive]

Millions. Now that was too good to take up. He knew enough of this woman to know she didn't lie. She had deep pockets, very deep.
He was resigned to Erika and her orders at the moment, but then again, it only took some money for that to change, didn't it?
Hmmm, perhaps it did. He wanted more from that whore every since this thing had begun. Maybe he could even play them against each other.
Erika wanted the child as well as Aria. He was the one who had her, at least his men did. That was good enough. Why get ten million when he could get hundreds.
"Lance is still going to die, that is not what is being questioned here, but perhaps with a bigger offer maybe we could come up with another deal."
He clicked on the phone, dialin up the number, "I need another ten minutes, if I don't kill, kill the child."
He hung it up before the person could argue anyway.
"Say your goodbyes Aria, if he can even hear you."
Willow dialed up Erika's private number. This called for some renegotiating.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

I glanced down at Lance and then up at Willow. Either way I was fucked, may as well just get it over with.

I picked up the sword and bent down over Lance.

"Thank you for all you did for me, for saving me and for trying.." I whispered just for Lance to hear, if he could hear me. I kissed him softly on the lips, gore and what not forgotten. good byes were always the hardest for me.

Sitting back up, The sword was lifted from my lap and brought vertically before me. With one thrust the sword sunk into his chest, into his heart and through to the other side.

Giving a viscious yank I pulled the sword free of his lifeless form and rose to stand behind Willow speaking into the phone.

"There is no chance, you lied to me.." my voice soft, mellow and cold.
"Erika won't let him live, even if you would want it so.." He still had the phone to his ear as he turned to face me. Smiling a little smile, I lifted the sword and stood ready.

"Hang up the phone Willow.. It's time you met your maker as well.." The softness gone, the emotions wiped away. I had lost my son before he was even dead.

I knew Erika, I knew Vladamir as well, nothing would save my boy. They were cruel not money hungry. They sought to hurt me and my family, not bargain.

"You lied to me, and I think now I am going to make you pay for it and for all of this.." I flipped the sword in my hand, twirling the blade as I began to smirk and move.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Erika

Picking up the cell phone, I checked the number.

"Yes Willow? What is it?" I sat on the bed, stifling the groan I wanted to let out from the pain that single movement caused me.
This guy loved to call at the wrong times...

 

[poohlive]

Willow talked into the phone, "Just a minute."
He took it away from his ear, glancing at Aria now. She was broken and beaten, but there was still some life in her. He did admire that.
"Calm down sweety. Now this isn't over. You did a good job, a really good job, and as promised your boy is unhurt. I promised that it was Lance's life or your son's, and you proved who you really loved, that's really good."
He looked at her, dead serious this time.
"I am not going to give your son to Erika, but I won't give him back to you either. Maybe I'll just keep him for myself, let him grow up somewhere nice and quiet. Maybe once in a while take off one of his little fingers. Cut him up and make him bleed until he screams for his mother. I have your son, and you don't. The deal was for me to spare his life, but he's still with me. I know where he is, and you don't. The only thing that can give you your son back is your checkbook."
Willow slowly put the phone back to his ear, "I'm talking to Aria as we speak Erika. Seems as if she has a little disagreement with me taking her little son. I was wondering if perhaps an agreement could be made to benefit all of us."
Well, at least him anyway.
His stare almost dared her to run the sword into him.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

My hands fisted tightly in anger, my blood was pumping furiously through my veins and i was a milisecond away from really messing Willow's face up.
I took another menacing step towards him, glaring in silence. He could talk to Erika all he wanted to, he was still going to pay for this!
"I want my son, name your price." My eyes held his, unblinking, just waiting for any reason to cut him to pieces. Little pencil dick was going to be sorry in the end of all of this.



Erika


"What? What is it now Willow?" I let go of the phone and used my chin and shoulder to keep it in place as I worked to get my hiking boots off to shower.
"You have the boy yet? I am tired of waiting for you fucking idiot's to get this job done! And if the cunt's there KILL HER! Fuck, she's still alive? You are stupid.." I shut up for a moment only because I needed to inhale some air.
"Kill her bring me the boy, I told you the 5 mill. was for him..NO! Better yet, let her live.. tell her just who is going to be Micheal's mommy.." This aughta be good was all i could think with a spreading grin.

 

[poohlive]

Willow smiled, "Yes, yes, of course," he said into the phone.
He paused, turning to Aria, "Erika wants 5 million for the boy. I know he's worth a bit more to you than that. To tell you the truth, I think she's just starting low, to see how much you really love your son."
He spoke back into the phone, "Sorry Erika, you see, at this point she's got a blade pointed at me. I am in a bit of a fix here, the only thing keeping me alive is the fact that she has a chance to see her son again. So, I'm going to play a little auctioning game."
He looked at Aria, "Can we do better than 5?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"You are a heartlessly cold son-of-a-bitch, you know that though dont you? How.. How do you think your mother would have felt? Sick.. Alright! Let me think!" I closed me eyes for a second, just trying to calm down a little.
"I can easily get six million, but It's all I have in cash.... The rest is properties and such all over the world.. antiques... things like that.." My heart lurched in my chest as the pain took hold. Erika could top that easily, I knew she could. I held my breath watching him carefully.
A thought came to me, an idea I knew was the best road to take... I would wait and see what Erika said..