NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is a continuation of Adrenaline Pt. I.

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=105524&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

It is open to those who were in the original, and those who tg me for entry. Others who know that I will accept them, just post :wink:

This is closed for now except for AmandaTheGreat and Myself. This will open up soon enough. Tag for entry at a later point.


IC:


Alexander Kelsing dreams of beautiful Angels…

“Alexander… I am so glad that you have come… I have missed you so… needed you so much more…”

“…”

“Please, don’t be afraid. I won’t do anything to hurt you…”

Alexander is taken by the hand and led to a small, white-sheeted bed, where the woman lays him down and crawls on top of him. The room they are in is barren, save for the bed.

“After all, dear heart, this is what you’ve always wanted, right…”

Alexander neither smiles, nor breaths, nor moves. He watches as the woman face twists and fragments… into a grotesque visage of pure evil.

“This is what we’ve both wanted… give in.”

Alexander doesn’t breath… doesn’t reply. The beautiful/grotesque figure leans in for a kiss…

And Alexander wakes up… as usual.
Alexander rubbed his face with his free right hand and looks around. He is still inside a small, cramped taxi. It was still on its way to the airport, but if the sign that passed held any water, that would be approaching soon enough.

Alexander tried to move his left arm, but it was stuck. He turned to his left and spotted her… Angel, sleeping on his shoulder. He sighed and let her be. He would have to wake her soon enough.

Alexander looked out the window and thought back to what had just transpired in the past few hours. He had come to the city of ATG to escape… escape from the persecution he encountered as a vampire in Valient back in the 1800s. Out of sheer luck, he had ran into Angel, rather he helped rescue her from a group of attackers: An Elaran, an Argonian, a Busbian and a large dog all found there way to her… perhaps it was something about her that drew them all there.

If so, that would mean that the mercenarys too were drawn to her. Luck, or Fate?

No… not fate… that couldn’t be. Was it fate that saw Angel’ unborn child die and then fade into the sun? Was it fate that saw him and her forced to flee from the attackers, back to the only place left to go: Valient, to the guild Hyrphore?

Was it fate that saw Angel turn from a human being into… something more? A vampire? Perhaps. Perhaps not… only Driretlen would have the answer.

However, Alexander could not put out of his head what fellow vampire had said to him:

the newcomer screamed: it was a bloodcurdling sound of both rage and sorrow. " I am Luthien Irencius… Flee, and take the woman. What she is I know not, but she will have a powerful impact on this world, whether for good or evil"

And so they did flee. Back to Valient they would go.

The taxi came to a slow stop.

“That will be $55, pal.”

Alexander flipped the driver a hundred and got out of the taxi, propping up the exhausted Angel.

“Angel… its time to wake up… its time to go home.”

*******************

After a 4 hour plane trip to Valient, and another taxi ride, Alexander and Angel finally arrived at the gates of the Hyraphore guild… it was a large and foreboding place, invoking thoughts of old lives lived and lost.

Alexander and Angel got out of the taxi, and it drove away. They walked up to the gates and were about to knock when a voice boomed out:

“Alexander Kelsing… it has been too long. Please, come in… we have much to discuss…

“And please bring the girl…”

TAG

TAG

OOC: Very well done Valient.

IC: Angel was subdued most of the ride. She dosed from time to time, but watched as Alexander slept. She worried when his face twisted with fear. She rested her head on his left shoulder and fell asleep. She rarely dreamt, but when she did it was normally of horrific things. This time she went back, back to when she turned.

It wasn't a memory, or was it. She lay naked and broken before the church. Her body covered with blood, some of hers, some not of hers. Periodically she would have seizures and then she would become rigid again. There was a black shadow above hers. Her arms reached up and tried to the block the shadow. Her fingers twisted in pain. She tried to cry out in pain, no energy to make a sound. Her eyes fixated on the thing above her. Just as the thing came it left. Her body relaxed. She was numb for a while. She place one hand on her stomach, a little distended.
"Angel you were chosen..." The voice distorted and dripped with blood, pain and hatred, was overcome by another...

"Angel...its time to wake up...its time to go home."

Angel looked up at him and smiled. The dream disappeared and faded into the back of her mind.

They walked through the gates. She heard the voice boom. She felt it vibrate through her whole entire body. She stopped and pulled Alexander, with questioning, worried eyes, "Why do they want me?"

:arrow: Tag

"Why do they want me?"

Alexander carefully grasped Angel's hands in his. They were warm... yet cold.

"I... they will help you, Angel. Please do not be afraid. I will be here for you."

Alexander led Angel into the large Hyraphore mansion. They entered the main hall and waited. All around them were items of excess: lavish paintings, garish statues... all too much for Alexander.

A large door opened down the hall from them. In walked a two men, both of similar height and build, but one exuded an aura of strength, and dark mirth. That man spoke.

"Alexander... you are looking well. How long has it been? 50? 100 years?"

"Not long enough, Driretlen..."

Driretlen smiled at Alexander, but it was a cold smile.

"Garrien, please take our dear Angel and show her to our guest quarters. I will see her after I have finished with... Alexander."

Alexander caught Angels eyes, and nodded once. He let go of her hand, and she was escorted up the stairs by the other vampire.

"Now then, Alexander, let us... talk."

Alexander didn't respond, choosing to glower at Driretlen. The elder walked back from where he and Garrien had came from. Alexander still recognized it as Driretlen’s lounge. Driretlen walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a snifter of wine.

“Want any? It’s pure Valient wine. Good stuff.”

“No thanks.”

Driretlen nodded and went to sit down on one of the two padded chairs. Alexander remained standing.

“So Alexander… Alexander Kelsing. What is the Hyraphore’s lost sheep doing back within the fold.”

Alexander reached over and swiped the glass out of Driretlen’s hand.

“Do you know what it was like out there, Driretlen? I had to move from city to city, never staying in one place. They hunted me out there. Even worse than they did here in Valient. But I did not, do not regret leaving… not one bit. I’d rather have been out there than be here under your fist.”

Driretlen did not flinch, and lowered the hand that held the glass. “I sympathize, Alexander. Do not think that I don’t. But as you can see, the Hyraphore has had its share of tough times…”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you seen any of your brethren walking this halls?”

Alexander was silent for a moment. “No…”

“That is because there are barely any left. The Hyraphore numbers have been reduced to near 250, from over 1000 strong. Do you know what that means? Can you even comprehend?”

“…”

“You have either come back in time to see the guild return to its finest hour, or see its last walls crumble. All of it hinges on your lady friend.”

Alexander was startled, and spoke slowly. “Angel? What does she have to do with it?”

Driretlen got up and went back to the liquor cabinet. He poured himself another drink.

“That is simply a matter only she can answer, Please, go upstairs and fetch her for me. We have to talk.”

Alexander stood for a moment, and then disappeared.

**********

Alexander returned with Angel. She held his hand with a curious-frightened look on her face.

“Ahh, thank you Alexander. You may go now.”

“What? But I…”

“You and I will converse some more at a later time. Leave us.”

Alexander clenched his free fist, and squeezed Angel’s hand with his other. With a terse bow, he exited.
Angel stood by the closed door, watching the leader of the Hyraphore guild take a swig of his drink.

“Angel, love, would you like something to drink?”

Angel did not like the fact she was escorted to a room. She glared at the man, as politely as she could possible do so. She sat in the oak wood chair. How odd for vampires to have wood. Wasn't that their downfall? She looked about the room, trying to busy herself with anything that she could. The room itself was pretty boring. She sat in the only chair. The chair was center in the room. There was a small table in one of the corners. On the table were some outdated magazines. Time. Entertainment. Seventeen. A giggle escaped and chased the silence away. She picked through and looked at Cosmopolitan. Hmmm, interesting 50 ways to seduce a stranger. She rolled her eyes. She tossed teh magazine back onto the table. Not a single picture or painting was hung on the wall. The walls were white and had a sterile look to them. Angel sighed. She didn't like to wait. I wonder what they use this room for. I suppose for the reason I am here.

Angel's heart beat faster and faster. What could they want with her? Yeah, she was a vampire, but barely. Images of torture crept into her mind. So, when the knock on the doot came she jumped about a foot in the air. Then she saw him. Alexander. She rushed to him and hugged him. He walked with her, back to where they were before.

Just as soon as he came he left her. Her mind, body, and spirit numb from everything that was happening.

"Angel, love, would you like something to drink?"

Angel swallowed, her thoart dry, but she did not trust him. She looked at him, making eye contact, and said, "No, thank you." She narrowed her eyes. "Don't beat around the bush. What do you want from me?"

TAG for MS

TAG for MS

OOC: For more info on what I am about to post, see:
http://www.zyworld.com/vampirelore/

OOC2: I hope you don’t mind me taking liberties with Angel, ATG.

IC:

“What do I want from you… well, I first want you relaxed and calm. Having you worked up so soon isn’t what I want. Please…”

Driretlen gestured towards the chair, and Angel tentatively sat down. Driretlen sat down across from her and nursed his drink.

They remained like that for awhile. Just studying each other.

Angel finally spoke.

“I never told you my name…”

“Hrmm?”

“I never told you my name. How did you know my name when Alexander and I came in?”

“Ahhh, yes. I was wondering when you were going to bring that up… You see, Angel, there is not a whole lot I do not know about you.”

“…”

“You are Angel Trillian. You are 20 years old, your favourite movie is “Dirty Dancing,”, your favourite ice-cream is pistachio, and you prefer the frilly kind of underwear to grandma panties…

“And you are wondering what the hell is wrong with you, correct?”

Angel bit her lip, and lowered her eyes. “How did you know that?”

“Sources… simply sources.”

“…Yes. Alexander said that you could help me… heal me…”

Driretlen laughed, and finished his drink. He suddenly threw the glass to the ground, smashing it into glass shards.

Angel didn’t flinch.

“Heal you? You really don’t understand who or what you are, do you?”

“…”

“Fine. Answer me these two questions: Tell me, Angel, do you have any memories of your parents?... your mother?”

“No… they abandoned me when I was very young… I’ve been shifted around from homes to homes… and then I ended up on the streets. But then again, you already knew that”

“Yes… I did. But that’s besides the point. Now… does the word Strigoi means anything to you?”

“No… should it?”

Driretlen got up and poured himself another drink. “By the way, do you know how hard it is to get drunk with a vampire’s metabolism?”

“…”

“Ah yes, the Strigoi. It is a word based on the Roman term strix for screech owl which also came to mean demon or witch… or vampires. Strigoi, Moroi, Varcolac, Pricolic. All mean the same thing, but for our purposes, Strigoi will serve us just fine.

There are different types of strigoi: strigoi vii are live witches who will become vampires after death. They can send out their soul at night to meet with other witches or with Strigoi mort who are dead vampires. The strigoi mort are the reanimated bodies which return to suck the blood of family, livestock, and neighbours.

But this is same name can apply to anyone living who becomes destined to become a vampire after death and has certain supernatural powers already before death.”

“What… what are you saying?”

“Your mother… her name was… Trishia, if I remember correctly. She was a Strigoi, a very powerful Strigoi. She was not fully developed, as she was not dead yet, but she was very strong… she was too strong. So we got rid of her.”

Angel got up off the chair. “You killed my mother?”

“Oh, come now. You never knew her. Not much of a loss to you then.”

“…”

“All we had to do was put a stake through her heart. Sounds cliché, I know… but the old ways still sometimes are the best ways.”

“So what does this… all have to do with me?”

Driretlen looked at his newly filled glass, and put it down on the table.

“The children of the Strigoi are all "living vampires", destined to become undead themselves.”

Driretlen swung his arm and backhanded Angel in the face. She fell backwards and sprawled on the floor.

“You, love, are a Strigoi, and will become a very powerful Strigoi. I will help you refine your powers… and you will help me take over all of the guilds in Valient.”

"Too bad your own child died... I'm sure your son would have been a fine vampire... we'll never know now."

Angel’s eyes flashed. Her face turned a few shades darker…

Driretlen smirked. “Your other half seems to want to come out, Angel. Will you not introduce her to me?”


***Edited

OOC: That took a while to type :P

OOC: I suppose that is fine, Valient. One thing though she is not 24, she is about 20. She is attending an all woman college. But otherwise it is really good.

IC: Angel glared at the man. "Well, seeming you know eveything about me, you have seemed to have forgotten about where I go to school. I go to a catholic school. An all girl's college. I am quite devoted to my faith and believes. I go into the church nearly twice a day, I would think I would be struck to death or something. If I was evil, God wouldn't allow me in such a holy place."

She stood up. "How am I suppose to believe in you in the first place? How do I really know I am this powerful Strigoi. Besides if what you say is true then I am already powerful because I am almost a vampire. I am not completely human, yet I am not completely vampire. So, how do you explain that one? Plus, why do you think I would help you?"

"Well, seeming you know eveything about me, you have seemed to have forgotten about where I go to school. I go to a catholic school. An all girl's college. I am quite devoted to my faith and believes. I go into the church nearly twice a day, I would think I would be struck to death or something. If I was evil, God wouldn't allow me in such a holy place."

"How am I suppose to believe in you in the first place? How do I really know I am this powerful Strigoi. Besides if what you say is true then I am already powerful because I am almost a vampire. I am not completely human, yet I am not completely vampire. So, how do you explain that one? Plus, why do you think I would help you?"


Driretlen stared at Angel for a moment... and then sat back down.

"Hmmm, so you are a child of god... well, that wasn't in your file... strange."

He shrugged. "Can't know everything I guess... but seriously, my dear, regardless of what beliefs you hold, you can't deny who you are."

"God... is simply one of those beliefs. He is simply a random thought that just simply happens to be floating through the conciousnesses of billions around the world.

"He is no more real than say... you are evil."

Driretlen went over and knealt by Angel. "Being a Strigoi is not evil. I never said that they were, or you were. However, if I were you, I'd learn to get on by without your daily church fix... there are those who like to see your kind dead."

Angel slapped Driretlen across the face. "How dare you..."

Driretlen put a hand on his cheek, and stood up. "I speak nothing but the truth, my lady. Nothing but."

"However, I did not expect you to believe me so... easily. The point is yes, you are not quite vampire, nor all human. You really are neither: you are a Strigoi. Stronger than the sum of your parts."

Angel stood up and gazed at Driretlen. "Prove it."

"Oh, I can do better than prove it... by the time I am finished, you will be more than glad to have come here. I can show you your real-self... I just need your total trust. I don't need you to believe in what I will do... just trust. What do you say?"

Angel did not step back, she took a step forward. Her face brightened, but her eyes did not. "God, is not just a thought. God is faith. God is love. God is everything that we are. God brought me here for a specific reason. I must do something here for God." She paused. Trust was a hard thing to give up, but she put it all in God. "Seeming all my trust is with God, I will give you trust also. Like I said, I was meant to come here. So, show me what you have to. I do not know how I will take it, but it will be for good." As she said the word good, a light sparked in her eye and then disappeared.

"Teach, for I am the student."

OOC: This has no relevance to your current story, Valient. I am continuing MS' brawl with Arakesh. MS and I have debated for some time, and have decided how to include ourselves in the story.

IC:

The pistol crashed onto the back of Arakesh's head, sending him into blackness, his katana dropping to the asphalt in slow-motion...

OOC: This has no relevance to your current story, Valient. I am continuing MS' brawl with Arakesh. MS and I have debated for some time, and have decided how to include ourselves in the story.

IC:

The pistol crashed onto the back of Arakesh's head, sending him into blackness, his katana dropping to the asphalt in slow-motion...

OOC: Understood. This thread is now open. What I am looking for are people who want to kidnap or kill Angel, as she is, or will be powerful.

Hunters, other vampires, whatever :wink: If you have something else in mind, just post.

IC:

Driretlen nodded, and bowed curtly.

"You will not regret this. It will be an honour to... teach you."

Driretlen suddenly winded up and and punched Angel in the jaw. Angel stumbled backward and fell to the ground. The last thing she saw was Driretlen downing the last of his drink.

*******

The next thing Angel saw was Driretlen tying her left arm to... something.

She opened her eyes wide and saw that her right was already tied down. Tightly, as she pulled vainly.

Angel was on a raised pedestal surrounded by what seemed to be hundreds of candles. The room was huge, but not foreboding.

"What... what is this? Driretlen, answer me."

Driretlen stepped back and smiled. "This... this little demonstration will prove to you what you really are..."

Driretlen summoned another figure. He was shrouded and gave Driretlen a necklace made of Garlic...

"You see, Angel, love, Strigoi are very old and traditional creatures. The live and die by the same rules they always have. Afraid of crosses, woodedn stakes can kill... and garlic hurts like..."

"Go and do it, driretlen." said Angel, pulling valiantly at her arms. "I doubt I could stop you."

Driretlen did not reply. He walked over to Angel and slipped the necklace over her head.

Immediately Angel grimaced, and then moaned. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Though she still looked the same, Angel was no longer Angel.

Driretlen nodded at the other vampires around him. "It is done."

"Hello Strigoi, welcome to the Hyraphore."

Angels body thrashed, but could not get loose.

"No one uses that tone of voice with I. Especially not those of your kind, vampire."

"My humble apologies, Strigoi."

"What... is this? I cannot escape."

"Yes... as you can see, that is a coil of garlic around your neck."

"Release me at once! I demand it."

Driretlen looked around. Some of the candles had flickered out...

"Hold yourself. I want to speak to Angel."

"There is no Angel. Only I."

"Damn you. Angel is you, and you are Angel. Let her talk to me. NOW!"

More candles flickered out...

"Help... me..."

Suddenly the doors to the room burst open. "Driretlen, stop this at once."

"Alexander! How..."

"You thought Garrien could keep me away... a pitiful move at your part."

Alexander spied Angel tied to the table. "ANGEL!"

Alexander concentrated and waved his hand. The rest of the candles flickered out, and Angel's body laid still

"Now are you going to stop me from freeing her?"

Driretlen bowed to Alexander. "I would not ddream of it. Go right ahead."

Alexander pulled his Upir and cut away Angels bonds. He gingerly picked her up and carried her out of the room.

He let the door shut. Driretlen stood alone... in the dark.

********

Back in the upper room, Alexander laid Angel on the bed. He knealt by her side and held her hand.

"I am sorry Angel... so sorry. I did not know what he would do. This may have been a mistake..."

A knock beat upon the door several times, its echo heard within the building of the Hyraphore. The hand ceased its movement, and dropped once again to his side. Maximus stood there, as he waited. He glanced about, looking at the various changes that had occured to the grounds since his last visit.

The eye-level slot opened, and a face peered through.

"What do you seek traveler?" came the deep voice.

Turning back toward the door, Maximus immediately spoke:

"My name is Maximus Destroi. I am here to see Alexander."

He had been on his usual travels, and happened to be passing through Valient, so he had decided to visit his old friend. It would be good to see how things were these days. He wondered where and how Drirethlen was as well.

Angel was in and out, as if she was under MAC anesthsia. She was groggy, but she knew Alexander was there.

"Alexander..." Her voice quiet and it took accessary muscles to catch her breath. "I do not feel like myself." She collapsed on his lap. She had remained in a quiet sleep for some time. Later, she woke up and her eyes had a more animal look to them, as if reflecting light.

She stared at Alexander, but remained silent. She watched his every movement down to the muscle twitching from the action potential. Her eyebrows raised as she noticed his inner core temperature rise and his heart and respirations increase when she touched his skin. She reacted to him like she had never before. As if when someone loses their eyesight and regains it thirty years later to experience everything over again, but in a different light. She placed her finger tips on his lip and ran it across and then down to the inner curve of his neck. She stopped in the devit area. She opened her mouth. Thirst kicking into overdrive now. She bent forward, parting her teeth, now exposing her new sharp fangs and went in closer to his neck.

She stopped inched away from his skin. She pulled herself back. She blinked and looked at Alexander, "I am sorry." She did not speak for some time. She just looked at her nails, trying to concentrate.

"I must speak with Driretlen. Please, come with me. I am myself with you."

Maximus waited for the door to the Hyraphore to open. He looked around and felt a chill go through him. The guild had seen better days...

Suddenly the huge wooden doors swung open. Behind stood Driretlen, though he looked haggard and tired.

"Driretlen. It has been ages..."

"It has, Maximus. It feels like it too. Please, come in.

"I assume Alexander will be here with us soon enough..."

******

Alexander took the back of his hand and placed it against Angel's cheek. It was cool, but not unpleasantly so.

"Talk with Driretlen? After what he did..."

Alexander did not know in entirety what had happened, but he noticed the way Angel had awoken... studying him... watching him... touching him. He knew what she was wanting to do when she bared her teeth, her fangs.

Alexander was not sure if he would have stopped her...

"But alright, I will take you to Driretlen. You will be able to ask him what you will..."

*********

Alexander led Angel down the stairs by the arm, and spied Driretlen in the front lobby. However he was not alone. A smile traced across his lips.

"Maximus... it is good to see you..." he turned to Driretlen, voice dropping an octave. "I only wish it was under better circumstances..."

Angel did not know of this Maximus, but she did not care. She would have normally been hesitant, but she had changed. For better or for worse, it has not been decided yet. She approached him with a smile she was signature for. She extended her hand, the back of it help up to him, expecting him to kiss it. "My name is Angel." She paused and looked over at Driretlen. She winked at him. "This is what you may call me. Why do I have the pleasure of meeting you. I do hope you are here for a good experience because you are in for it." She backed away from him and walked up to Driretlen. She slapped him across the face and her nails dug into his skin. She did not pierce his skin, but it did leave three percise lines across his cheek. She bowed her head. "I do not cry or get mad, I get even." She leaned in and kissed his injuried cheek.

She backed up to be near Alexander. She was not watching the way he was reacting to her, but she was sure he didn't liked it. "I assume you knew I would come back here. I need more answers, answers to questions that were unanswered. Answers you know I need. Please, do not withhold ANY information because the consequences will not be in your favor. So, I suggest you tell me right now what I need to know." Her eyes did not loose their gaze into his, nor did he divert his.

As soon as he had respectfully kissed Angel's hand, she had moved to Drirethlen's presence, and had slapped him, rather viciously. One of Maximus's eyebrows lifted slightly as he watched this. He wondered what had happened, but he didn't press for information. Either Alexander or Drirethlen would fill him in later, if they so felt that he needed to know.

As Angel continued to talk to Drirethlen, Maximus closed the door behind him, and listened, trying to put together the pieces of the conversation.

He couldn't be sure, but he could swear that there had been a shift in power within the ranks of the Hyraphore. It was almost as if Drirethlen was...submissive... Maximus looked over at Alexander, who at the moment was listening to Angel and watching Drirethlen.

I may not be a part of the Hyraphore, but I do know my friends well...and something has changed...the old comradrie is gone...

OOC: MS has given me permission to bring his forces to this compound.

IC:

Arakesh stirred slightly, the hum of rotors ringing loudly in his ears. His hands and feet where bound with plastic handcuff-like devices. A commando stood over him, a Berretta M96FS in his hand, Arakesh's head filling the crosshairs...

"Major, we're coming up on the objective... looks like there's a few more vamps... should be good huntin', don't ya think?"

The pilot shouted over his shoulder, talking to the lead commando, an imposing man of 6'1" and a powerful 250 lbs build. The commandos where very well trained, skilled marksmen and unarmed fighters. Arakesh counted ten in total, not including the leader...

OOC: From what I have seen so far, four of the eleven total commandos are main characters, and should not be killed. The remaining seven are hard to kill extras.

NO KILLS:
Leader: (Dekker Bray)
Sniper: (Peter Zion)
Pilot: (Greg Torres)
Second in Command: (Tyrone Miller)

KILLS:
Commandos: (Will list names as needed)

OOC: i will post asap. Alas, I'm in class... Please let me post before we continue.

Thank you. :D

Driretlen put a hand to where Angel had slapped him. It stung, and yet felt oddly cold. He could still feel her lips on his cheek. He did not enjoy the feeling.

"I understand my lady. However, please, go with Alexander for now. I will discuss this issue with you at length later, as much as you wish."

Angel stood still as Driretlen brushed by to the room Maximus had left to. She turned to Alexander and smiled.

"If I was as powerful as he says I am, he had better watch it. I meant it when I said that I would get even."

Alexander's voice softened when he heard the anger in Angel's voice. He did not wish, nor mean for any of this to happen when he brought her back. Now he was torn, between asking her to leave with him from the Hyraphore once more, or helping her work through her identity here.

Alexander led Angel back to the lounge and closed the door. Alexander reached for Angel's hand, but then pulled back. He sighed and slumped against the door.

"Angel... what do you wish to know about yourself anyways..."

********

Driretlen walked into the room and closed the door. maximus turned around and clasped his friend on the shoulder.

"Driretlen, I heard..."

"I know. You have unfortunately come at a bad time. This girl Alexander has brought... will either spell victory or doom for the Hyraphore."

"I understand... how many?"

"250."

250? From over 1000 vampires?

"How... it is a long story. There has been blood fueds with the other guilds in Valient, and across the Nations. Many of us have been recruited, or killed. It is a long story."

*The blood feud story and the culmination of Alexander's rift with Driretlen will take place in the as-yet unreleased Vampires vs Lychan thread.*

"I understand. Please if there is anything that I can do."

Driretlen pushed the door to the veranda outward. He looked about at the setting sun and sighed.

"No... I am afraid that..."

From across the valley comes a very familiar sound to Driretlen.

"Maximus... do you hear... helicopters?"

Maximus listened carefully, and almost instantly picked up the sounds of the rotors beating the night air.

"Looks like we might have company...they're coming from the front."

Maximus drew Glamdring and one of his Desert Eagles, and bolted toward the door, while calling out, "Alexander! Get down here! We've got possible hostile company! And call in some more security, just in case!"

Maximus slid open the slit on the door, and was instantly hit in the face with a blast of air and dirt. He squinted his eyes as he searched and found the helicopter swooping in low and beginning to hover above the ground a few feet.

"Damn it, looks hostile all right."

The Blackhawk began its descent, the door gunner keeping the 7.62mm Vulcan aimed at the front doors, ready to lay down surpressive fire at a moment's notice. The chopper had been heavily modified to act as a transport as well as a mobile support vehicle. It had been outfitted with a 20mm nose cannon, as well as a pair of rocket pods under a retro-fitted short wing, mounted on each side.

It came in slowly, hovering just above the ground as the commandos departed. They moved slowly, keeping in formation. Each carried a Berretta M96FS as their main weapon, with a handgun of their choice as their reserve weapon. KA-BAR knives where also in evidence. I lieu of thier recent encounter with Alexander, they had switched to much more powerful IST rounds. As suddenly as they had come, they melted into the night, splitting up to find alternate entrances to the building...

OOC:

IST stands for 'I Smite Thee', they're silver smart rounds that penetrate body armor, but expand 360 degrees after contacting with flesh, resulting in an large hole inside of the target, but not behind it. I saw these little babies on the history channel Wednesday, and was stunned by what I saw. These things scared the shit outta me.

As the chopper came in, Arakesh rolled out, catching the hilt of his katana with his bound hands as he did so. Landing hard in a cluster of bushes, he was unseen by the commandos. He quickly wedged the silver edge of his blade under the cuffs, and managed to free himself...

Alexander stood up and stroked Angel's cheek with one hand.

"No rest for the weary, eh? Come now. Let us see what is the matter?"

Alexander and Angel ran down to where Driretlen and Maximus were. Alexander noticed that both vampires had drawn their weapons. Instinctively, Alexander drew his own desert eagle a,dn clutched Angels hand tighter.

he let her go and peeked though the slit on the door. he did not like what he saw... not at all.

"Shit..."

"What?" asked Maximus.

"Angel... those commandos from back in the alley. They are here..."

Alexander brought out a small remote and pressed a single button.

"I believe that these men are here for you, Angel. Still, let us see what these men really have..."

Driretlen walked over to Angel and nodded. "I know that I have not had enough time to explain certain things to you, and I apologize. I did not foresee this.

"However, please believe that you are have power to eliminate those commandos if you wanted to. Will you not take your powers for a test drive?"

**************

Outside the guild, windows and dorrs to the outside flew open. dozens of vampires streamed outside to meet the enemy. They were unafraid, unmoved. They were Hyraphore vampires.

Standing on a second floor veranda, one vampire hurriedly set up a SLM (shoulder launched Missle)...

The advancing waves where being cut down by the Blackhawk's Vulcan, thousands of silver bullets poured out of the weapon. The pilot launched a salvo of rockets as well, raking the front doors with the 20mm nose cannon. As Sgt. Torres raked the doors, he activated the counter-measure system, sending a series of flares flying from the craft to confuse surface to air missiles.

The commandos where no longer in the main courtyard, having moved further into the mansion itself, using various methods of entry. The only hunter in the area at that point would have been Arakesh, the chopper making passes on the gathered vampires, the Vulcan and nose cannon still blazing. Sgt. Torres had thought ahead, and had brought plenty of ammo. Rockets where a different story, he only had the four multi-fire pods... after those, he was dry...

OOC: A Stinger missile launcher is a better alternative. A self-guided missile capable of downing any size aircraft. A helo will simply tilt out of the way of an oncoming dumb rocket.

Arakesh crouched in the bushes, keeping low as weaponsfire filled the area... This was going to be difficult...

Angel grew frantic. What could these men what with her. Maybe it was true and she did have some hidden power, but if it was hidden how did these men know. It must have been just hidden to her. Go figure. She still didn't believe she could do anything against all those men, but no one would harm Alexander and she would die before they got to him. Angel closed her eyes and repeated in her head some prayers she had known in the Latin tongue. She bowed her head, as to not be noticed by those around her. She was not audible, even to the sensitive ears of vampires and she asked God for his help. It was not for her, but for others around her. She asked him to forgive the things that these men may have done and to take pity on their souls. As she continued to pray, a slight drizzle came down upon the approaching men. The drizzle turned into a downpour and the odd thing was that the sun still shown. She stepped outside of the Hyphaphore. She still had her eyes closed and she allowed the rain to spill down onto her. With in a matter of seconds she was soaked head to toe. Her mouth stopped moving and she smiled. Her eyes remained closed and she was as still as ever. The wind picked up around her, but did not touch anyone near her.

Angel grew frantic. What could these men what with her. Maybe it was true and she did have some hidden power, but if it was hidden how did these men know. It must have been just hidden to her. Go figure. She still didn't believe she could do anything against all those men, but no one would harm Alexander and she would die before they got to him. Angel closed her eyes and repeated in her head some prayers she had known in the Latin tongue. She bowed her head, as to not be noticed by those around her. She was not audible, even to the sensitive ears of vampires and she asked God for his help. It was not for her, but for others around her. She asked him to forgive the things that these men may have done and to take pity on their souls. As she continued to pray, a slight drizzle came down upon the approaching men. The drizzle turned into a downpour and the odd thing was that the sun still shown. She stepped outside of the Hyphaphore. She still had her eyes closed and she allowed the rain to spill down onto her. With in a matter of seconds she was soaked head to toe. Her mouth stopped moving and she smiled. Her eyes remained closed and she was as still as ever. The wind picked up around her, but did not touch anyone near her.

"What... what is she doing, Driretlen?"

Driretlen turned to Alexander and cocked his head to the side.

"She is starting to believe..."

Alexander nodded and called into the intercom.

"I want more men out there. Take out that helicopter. NOW!"

More vampires streamed out of the building shooting semiautomatics at the helicopter.

Two hefted up grenade launchers and fired it at the approaching chopper.

Inside, Alexander turned to Maximus.

"My friend, will you join me in going out and confronting our opponent headon? I cannot let Angel do this by herself. I think I... love her..."

"Tis an odd time to say that Alexander...Do you think I was going to let her try to take on these guys by herself? Let's go then, let's have a little 'party' time eh?"

Maximus grinned, and flung open the door and stepped out, stopping when next to Angel. He looked out toward the men who had arrived. He grinned, as fangs showed themselves and glistened in the rain. A wild fire of battle could be seen in his eyes as his eyes lit to a blood-red color.

No matter what anyone said, fighting had its own beauty...

In the chaos, Arakesh slips into the mansion through a basement window, the crunch of breaking glass muffled by the chatter of automatic weapons...

ooc: Will post as soon as possible, which will probably be on Friday. I have a huge test tomorrow. So, thanks for being patient with me.

OOC: Thanks for being patient with me. I did well on my test also!!!!

IC: Angel became aware of her surroundings and she laughed out loud. "FOOLS! You think you can come here and attack us. It is like you are asking for your death." Lightening struck the ground just a couple feet away from her and kicked up dirt and the dust flew in the soldier’s eyes. Angel was angry, all she wanted was to learn about herself, like any teenager or adult who didn't get back the identity v. identity confusion stage of Erikson. She was finally going to learn about herself and then these stupid humans come and ruin it all. She was having a bad day and she was going to take it out on them. A small fire had caught on some dry grass and she noticed it. She saw an approaching soldier and she glared at him. The fire grew and covered the soldier. The fire's scorching matched the man's screaming. The rain came and put out the fire. All that remained was a small smoke flowing up to the heavens. "Who else wants to piss me off?"

Arakesh flys from the bushes, tackling her... Moments later the 20mm nose cannon on the Blackhawk rakes the spot where she had been only seconds earlier...

"It is not wise to taunt a man in an armed flying machine... Let him waste his ammunition on your brethren, then the time will be ripe to strike..."

OOC: MS is having some computer trouble, and has been unable to post. I'm sure he thanks you all for being patient. The soldiers have entered the Hydraphore complex through various windows, vents, and other such exotic entry points. There are three in the helicopter, a pilot (Sgt. Greg Torres) a co-pilot, and a gunner on the 7.62mm Vulcan. There are none left in the courtyard proper.

OOC: I thought Arakesh was in the basement?? Also...Valient's guild is spelled as "Hyraphore" not "Hydraphore" lol :wink:

IC:
Maximus had been about to jump out at the man that had advanced on them, but Angel obviously had him under control and literally burned him to death...

What in the hell does this woman possess?? Maximus wondered, as he cast a glance aside at her, with a newfound respect for her.

The chopper deftly dodged the grenade launchers, the Vulcan gun on the helicopter continuing to rattle its gutteral cackle. Growling, Maximus moved exceptionally fast; a gift of vampires; avoiding the bullets that tried to take him down. He leapt upwards and gripped onto the bottom rail of the chopper with one hand. Using his momentum, he swung and flipped upwards into the chopper, slashing with Glamdring, decapitating the gunner, silencing the Vulcan. Moving quickly he slit the throat of the co pilot, who gurgled horribly as blood splattered all over the windows and controls. Finally he brought the bloodied sword to the pilot's throat, pressing deeply into him with the blade, slightly drawing blood. He lowered his head next to the man's ear and whispered, knowing full well the man would hear him.

"Land NOW...and don't try anything or I'll kill you where you are."

The pilot grudgingly obeyed, setting the chopper down on the front lawn.

"Get out."

Once the two were out, Maximus bound him quickly with steel cables found within the chopper and with little effort, but great effect, he picked up the man and threw him toward Alexander, who promptly grabbed hold of him.

Maximus turned back toward the chopper, killed the engine, and grabbed a spare fuel tank. He began dumping the fuel all over the chopper's interior and leading a trail to just in front of Angel. Tossing the fuel tank back toward the chopper, he pulled out one of his daggers, and held it in one hand and Glamdring in the other. He struck them together, just above the fuel trail, sending sparks onto the fuel. The fuel caught fire, and raged at a furious pace toward the chopper. Within seconds a tremendous explosion emitted from the chopper, as shrapnel flew in every direction. Those that stood by the door were thrown down to the ground, but relatively unharmed.

Maximus turned back toward the man and Alexander.

"There were others. They must be inside. Keep him alive, we shall interrogate him later on."

Torres slips his right hand towards his right boot, drawing a switchblade & slashing the underside of Maximus' wrist, deep enough to damage connective tissue to prevent the vampire from cutting his throat. With another deft swipe, he releases himself from the crash harness. He now stood in the back of the landed craft, his Berretta aimed at Maximus...

"Get outta my chopper, ese... 'Les you want a new set of .40 caliber nipple jewelry. THEN I'll come out."

From a nearby window, Peter Zion sets up his .300 magnum WA2000. Outside of the chopper, one of the vampire's heads explodes in a shower of blood, brain matter, and silver shrapnel...

Torres laughs...

"Posterboy an' that cannon... you puntas had best find some cover 'fore he puts a hole in you the size of Mexico..."

Inside the guild building, Dekker and his troops begin to set simple traps in heavily trafficed areas... Their work completed, they conceal themselves within the building as Zion disappears with his bullpup WA2000...

OOC: Next time, okay major stuff like hijacking the chopper. Torres would have flown off after his guns ran dry.

Inside the guild building, Dekker and his troops begin to set simple traps in heavily trafficed areas... Their work completed, they conceal themselves within the building as Zion disappears with his bullpup WA2000...

OOC: Next time, okay major stuff like hijacking the chopper. Torres would have flown off after his guns ran dry.


OOC: Umm, next time, okay major stuff like... breaking into the Hyraphore Compound and setting up traps.

The guild has 250 men. With estimated death tolls from the helicopter attack at roughly 30, there should still be 220 men roaming. They are vampires, and have higher senses.

As well, before we continue, who in the Mercenaries are expendable?

Please check your TGs ATG and MS.

OOC: MS, I didn't do any sort of godmodding, I simply followed what you WA said who could and could not be killed. I suggest you revert to what I originally rp'd as happening...

OOC: We're still going, Torres isn't a person who surrenders easily. He's also quite handy with a switchblade. The chopper is still grounded, and Maximus is fine, minus a bit of lost blood and a wrist wound that should have healed by now. You can't expect a hardened vet like Torres to stand by after two of his friends are cut to bits, when he has the means and ability to exact revenge. I assumed all of the vamps where in the courtyard, trying to down a heavily armed attack/transport chopper that was firing massive amount of munitions at the building. That was the purpose of the chopper opening fire on the building in the first place.

I'm going to need intel like the exact personnel counts of a vampire guildhall before hand, so I'll ask next time as a reminder. Trap wise, nothing very elborate. Standard claymore AP mines with tripwires is all. If your vamps have heightened senses, they should be able to locate the things. If not, it will just blow off a limb and cause a serious drop in real estate value. If your vamps are anything like Tarlacharia's, you can re-attatch limbs.

To answer Tarlachria's question about godmodding: I'm not accusing you, but charging a Vulcan gattling cannon in midair isn't a good idea no matter how fast you're moving. If the gunner had moved that bullet-hose a fraction of an inch, Maximus would have a serious medical bill and enough silver in him to buy a small island. I had also planned to have the chopper fly off after it had spent its rocket payload, making it look like a random attack and drawing off the guildhall's sentries so the commandos could perform a smooth infiltration. I just don't like people taking control like that when I haven't okay'd it, as you did when you had the chopper land. Killing the gunner and co-pilot was fine, I expected them not to make it out alive. I was planning to have Torres jostle the Blackhawk around a bit, trying to throw Maximus out if he managed to board the thing. Eventually, he open fire from his pilot's chair and probably hit something vital when Maximus evaded the gunfire. You can probably guess where it would go from there.

I'm sticking to Valient's TG'ed plotline, but I already had a tactical entry planned out. It's fine, since things never go as planned in the field anyway.

And don't 'suggest' that I do anything from this point on.

For now, enough bitching, and back to the RP...

IC:

The claymores where in place, and the commandos had hidden themselves away in the attic area. They waited for the telltale 'boom' of an exploding C4 panel sending a hundred or so ball bearings into a target...

OOC: I had assumed that there where no other vampires left in the building. After reading back a page, I noticed I had had Arakesh enter the building. Ignore my useless diplay of bravado, as my computer sometimes doesn't post my messages and I repost a day or so later. I believe that MS has been fair, since you did down a major component of his attack force, and the Hyraphore contains several hundred vampires, among which are Maximus, Angel, and Alexander. MS has around seven highly trained human commandos armed with semi-automatic handguns and large combat knives. They have no special abilites like super-speed or magic, or bullet-dodging. He has always RP'd by the book and strict rules of realisum, and I don't think he would change his style now.

The odds are still in the vampire's favor, so give him his small victory and humor the old man.

IC:

Arakesh stumbled though the dark basement area, bumping into cardboard boxes as he waited for his slit-pupils to widen and adapt to the low light level. The bright rocket blasts had lit the outside area well enough to see as if it was noon on a summer's day. The basement was a sharp contrast...

OOC: all right, I apologize to all. I rethought my actions, and agree, maybe I did take it a little too far. However, Maximus wasn't flying through the air, he ran quickly underneath the chopper, then jumped up at a slight angle to use his momentum to flip into the chopper. This would allow him to move just in front of the bullets hitting the ground behind him. Once in the chopper he kills the two men, then when about to attack the third he is slit on the wrist (though I must point out...Maximus had a sword...distance of wrist from Torres...). Let us take it from there... :P

IC:
Maximus growled at the pilot, Glamdring held firmly in his grasp. His wrist had already closed off the wound. He spoke icily,

"You look like you could use a little cosmetic work done!"

Maximus stepped out of the chopper, beckoning for the man to come.

"Drop the gun. Fight like a man!" Maximus taunted, slashing his blade about. "Bring out that combat knife I know you have, and I shall use one dagger!"

Maximus sheathed Glamdring and pulled out one of his daggers, a finely crafted Elven Dagger, forged thousands of years ago, but made of elven steel with silver inlays. All his blades were made the same way, and all had proven to remain reliable all these years...

OOC: Okay, Valient we go by your plans. :wink: I am glad y'all figured it out. I am glad you boys can play nicely. :wink:

IC: Angle tumbled with the lizard man. She rolled back onto her feet and glared at the man. "What in the hell are you doing?" She hissed, "I can take care of myself." She paused, a dazed look appearing on her face, "Umm...thank you." She ran off to where she thought Alexander was. On her way there she attacked the soldiers, nearby, with the help of the wind. They were literally blown away. They would only suffer some minor wounds, possibly some fractures. Her priority was finding Alexander.

Alexander looked on as Maximus tangled with the pilot. He stopped himself from jumping to his friend's aid.

"He can handle himself. The Hyraphore needs me...

"And so does Angel..."

The vampire ran down the side pathway of the building, avoiding the debris piled around courtesy of the Helicopter's payload. All of a sudden he saw mercenaries climb in through a window.

"*Expletive Deleted By NationStates Moderators*"

Alexander leaped up through the same window, only to see the mercenaries fade into the building walls. With his heightened senses, Alexander felt something was amiss.

He called into his communicator. "Garrien, there are explosives set in various places around the compound. You know what to do..."

Alexander knew that with luck, his vampires would be able to disconnect the explosives. After all, it wasn't like they were claymores...

Explosions rocked the compound...Alexander sighed and continued into the building.

"Angel... I'm coming..."

**************

Outside, Driretlen grabbed a slow soldier and made him pay for it. The Eldar picked up the man and threw him into a tree.

He smiled.

He turned around and spied the Argonian.

"You. Do you know where these men's leader is?"

OOC: I wonder what the NationStates' Moderators deleted? :?

OOC: I'm sorry, folks, I've been pretty damn busy for the past few days.

On a side note, Torres sports a scar running from his hairline on the right side of his head, across the bridge of his nose, and down to his left jawbone. He recieved it during a squabble with a man with a longsword. Torres, of course, used his switchblade.

The switchblade is a six-inch variation, the largest in manufacture. Combined with the average reach of a human arm & the close quarters of a Blackhawk's cockpit area, Torres would have been able to reach Maximus' wrist with relative ease. A knife is superior to a sword in very close quarters.

WA should be on soon, he's discovered that damn Ninja Gaiden thing and won't quit emailing me about it...

IC:


Torres smirked, his mouth contorting under his well-trimmed mustache and beard combination...

"How 'bout I put a pair of IST's in your head? Let's see ya wave your candy-ass elf-blade then, cabron..."

Within the compound, Dekker and his troops listened to the distictive 'thud' of an exploding claymore, followed by the screams of the victims. Each man carried a KA-BAR combat knife, a surpressed Berretta M96FS firing sub-sonic (silent, but less stopping power) IST rounds. Each also had a backup sidearm of their choice, unsurpressed and loaded with standard FMJ ammunition...

OOC: Yes MS, I have been playing the 'Ninja Gaiden', and am midway through it.

I have also downloaded the AIM program.

IC:

Arakesh rose from the basement from his entry window, drawing his silver-edged katana as he did so...

"The leader is a man known among my people as the Nak'Tarrash. In human-speak, he is called Deck-Car Bray. Like his namesake, he is cunning and deadly. He is often seen with the great hunter of your kind, Whiptail. As such, he is a man of honor, but still a man. I will ask you to spare him, for he spared me. Argonian claws and teeth are highly prized items on the Grey Market, as are vampire fangs, which I suspect he and his team are after. Of his followers, I have no information, other than that they are skilled hunters."

OOC: BUMP for Tarlachia.

I'd like to continue this damn thing.

OOC: Oh dear, I never realized y'all were waiting on me lmao, I was waiting on YOU lol. Wow...sorry for the wait... however, I have to let you know I'm really busy these days, and am thinking I'll be removing myself from this and some other threads as well... Just thought I'd let ya know...

IC:
Maximus growled in response.

"If it's guns you want to use..." Maximus quickly sheathed his weapons, and pulls out two Desert Eagles, "then guns you shall recieve!"

The guns began firing toward Torres, as Maximus flipped sideways, moving constantly as to provide a difficult target. His vampiric speed made this even more difficult as well.

OOC2: sorry for the short post...I'm just not feeling all too creative with this thread for some odd reason...

OOC: Yes. this thread is closed down for now. I may restart it again in the future. However, the focus will be much different,

This never went the way I wanted. :cry:

OOC: I'd suggest giving us a plot outline next time, Valient. Like I said before, I need intel. I apologize for anything I may have done to contribute to the thread's f**k-up.

Maximus is going to have a hard time flipping around like some Neo wannabe in a Blackhawk's interior while maintaining a steady aimpoint, much less his footing. At the moment, he's probably crashing into a steel panel, or outside, having cartwheeled out one of the two loading doors on either side, where the gunner used to sit with his Vulcan. The gunner's gone, but the gun isn't. It's a big-ass obstacle. I've got plans to use Torres in other threads, and he can't dodge bullets, so re-work that last thing, okay?

OOC: Not to be so demanding of attention, but why not go back to the main reason this story was started that being my character, Angel. Maybe it would have worked out if we didn't have war to overtake everything. I also suggest maybe read backround on this story or read the other pages of the story. I could just have my character Angel put you all to sleep, not kill, but actually nightly nightly time. Okay, let me know what you all think.