NationStates Jolt Archive

A man with silvery white hair walked along the dark and moistened streets. It had rained previously, and the sun had not risen, nor would for a while, to dry the puddles which had accumulated. He ran his hand through the short strands to get it out of his eyes. His left eye was a brilliant ice blue, almost white, as if it were blind. His right eye was a deep crimson red. He wore a long dark trenchcoat, and both of his hands had black leather cut-off gloves, surely that of a fighter. He was around 6"5 with a strong build, surely someone you would not want to meet in a dark alleyway. He looked only around twenty seven, not a day older nor younger, but as many have learned, things are not always as they seem.

He posessed a natural charm, despite his arrogant attitude, which chimed in at recent intervels like clockwork. He was one to save another by day, and rough-up "youngins" when night fell. In this town, he held the power, and controlled everything that went on in that city. And no one knew. It was he that held power over the others, stopping every rebellion before it started in his own way. But he was like that; so refined and reserved one moment, so leathel and quick tempered the next. If he had had his way, Kain would have been dead by now, as well as Joshua. The two elusive students had slipped his grasp. He still wonders how. Surely he could get to them, but they now provoked little interest in him. All he was interested in, was his apprentice, Katarina. Needless to say his carnal desire had become apparent to her, and it had won. She didn't complain; she became both his apprentice and fledgling...and a little more than that.

"Stop him!" he heard a cry. He turned around immediately to see a man coming toward him with something in his hands, a woman standing behind frantically waving. He raised his eyebrow, and in a clean motion, closelined the man with but taking a single step outward. His arm held strong, as if it was fused there. The ground was taken out from under the man, as he noticed the man had taken some crystals. he picked them up from her assailant, knowing well he was unconscious, and went over to the woman.

"I believe these are yours..." he said, handing them to her, with a half smile. She was around 5"9 with deep brown hair and azure eyes. She looked up to him in slight awe, and was speechless for a moment.

"Oh...oh yes, thank you." she said, taking the crystals back from him. He began to turn around to walk away, but she placed her hand on his shoulder, suprised slightly by the cold feeling that swept over her. "Wait...what's your name?"

He turned around slowly. "My name is Michael," he looked down to her with a half smile. "And yours may be?"

"Veronica Lane," she replied.

"Beautiful name," he say, still looking at her. He brushed his hand against the side of her face. "To match a beautiful face." He caught a red blush across her cheeks, and chuckled inwardly. "Care to join me on a stroll?" She nodded silently, trying to see if this was real.

Tall, dark, and handsome... she thought to herself with a smile as they walked together. "Hey," she continued. "I know this great restaurant on the other side of town, Ristiles, would you like to go? I have to repay you for getting back my money anyway."

"Why not," he remarked, and continued to walk. He turned down a narrow street, and she hesitated.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" she looked around as she hesitantly walked down the street behind him.

"Of course, my dear." he replied with an accent in his tone. "I won't let anyone else hurt you." A smile crossed his face. Though she wouldn't have followed if she were to have seen that smile. His words, however, comforted her. He stopped for a moment, and she walked closer.

"You alright?" she asked quietly. There was no reply. "Michael?..." she placed her hand on his shoulder. "Are you---" In a split second, he turned around and grasped her throat, to which she could not emit a scream from.

"My name isn't Michael by the way...and you should be more careful whom you take walks with my dear...may result in fatality." Fear was shot into her eyes as a set of vicious fangs sliced through the tender skin upon her neck. She tore at his hands with her nails, trying to break their hold on her, however, he was too strong. He felt the life slipping away from her, and dropped her to the ground, the blood trailing from his lower lip. He whiped it from his chin with the back of his glove, and walked back down the ally onto the streets.

The city air swept past him as he searched for a lighter in his pocket. He lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply. Qui chuckled to himself. What a twisted world we live in.

TAG, will maybe post later on :)

Maximus sat low to the roof, eyes intently watching below him as another vampire fed upon a helpless woman. The vampire's silvery hair covered his face, but Maximus knew that vampire well.

It was none other than Qui. Raveyln's son.

He continued to watch as Qui fed upon the woman, until her body was cast aside. He watched as Qui stood there, licking his lips, savoring the taste of blood...

It made Maximus hungry too. He would have to hunt in a little bit..but not before he found out what Qui was doing here.

This was his town, and he knew it. Everyone of that breed knew it. No one ever challenged it. Well, no one sucessfully ever challenged it. And who would want to? He paused momentarily as somone approached him from the side. He turned his gaze upon the man, and the man stopped dead in his tracks.

"Can I help you Omni?" Qui asked unamused at the visitor. Ori was about 6 inches shorter than Qui with black hair and a rathe vague disposition. He was thin, but as many vampire are, stronger than they appear. Qui tilted his head in questioning.

"Yes, actually. I---"

"What could it possibly be that the leader of the resistance could want with lil' old me." Qui cut him off, his light tone hauntingly vicious. Qui caught an expression of suprise from Omni, and chuckled. "You think I didn't know?" he growled softly, rather playing than threatening. "I know everything that goes on around here with involvement of your kind." He towered of Omni, and Omni knew very well that he was not exactly like everyone else. He was a hybrid, one Omni specifically does not want to bother.

"I...can explain everyth---"


"There is no explanation needed Omni. Carry on as you were. This little resistance of yours will just be a game for me, you know that. I'm a high roller, and I'm the dealer. That's a deadly combination if you really take the time to think about it. A dealer controls every match, Omni. And if he doesn't want to lose..." he looked down at Omni. "He won't."

Omni backed away slightly, then turned to walk away. He didn't like being pushed around, but he didn't really have a choice. Their ancients and elders were long since slain, and it let Omni as the eldest of the group; of only one hundred years; immatchable to Qui. He sighed heavily, and kept walking, not looking back.

Qui scoffed slightly,a nd took anothe drag on his cigarette. He then thought of his apprentice. She needed training, and what a perfect night to do it. He was sure she had the same thirst as he did, for he had given her his blood in order to turn her.

Katarina...he thought to himself silently, and leaned up against the wall. She was late. He stood outside a small coffee house, watching as people entered and exited. He awaited his fledgling.

The cold stone wall against which Qui leaned gave way to stone cold flesh.
Qui, she thought, giving him a kiss on his neck, Sorry im late...My prey got a little...feisty this evening. I did get this for you, however. Reaching both her arms around his neck, she draws a chain across it, a obsidian vial of blood hanging from it.

He stood there silently, startled (though he didn't let it show), by the soft feeling of Katarina's kiss upon his neck. He smiled devilishly upon her, turning around. He took the vile within his fingertips.

"Hopefully they didn't give you too much trouble," she said softly, running his hand through her hair. He turned and placed his arm around her shoulders, guiding her along the street.

"No...Not too much. This upstart seemed to think he could take care of me with just a wooden cross. Apparently someone didnt do his research, and i ended up with two meals instead of one." Katarina allows herself to be led down the street by Qui. "So Qui, What shall tonights lesson be?"

Maximus moved silently along the rooftops, parallel to the two vampires below him on the street. His excellent hearing picked up every word the two spoke to each other.

So this is a fledgling of Qui...how interesting...I wonder if Rave knows?

He moved along silently, making sure to keep himself concealed from view and detection.

"Well," he began thinking silently to himself. "Actually, playing with peoples minds. Not really a lesson, more of a fun. However, you find it more appealing instead of killing them first, to manipulate them. Make them think something and they'll trust you, and then be dead ten minutes later." He threw his cigarette to the ground, letting the last of it burn.

"But to tell you the truth, I've had enough of teaching for the day, and I assume you have had enough of learning...so why don't we have some fun?" There was a heavy beat that could be heard by their sensitive ears as they neared a builing. It was seemingly a club, one person at the door letting some and some not enter.

"Try to get in without using force. Once we get inside, there will be no suspicion."

Katarina strides up to the bouncer, skipping the entire line and acting as if she belonged. She smiles at him cloyingly, and lets her coat slip open to show the skintight outfit she wears beneath it. "So, handsome" she says, "I'm on the list, right?" As she talks to the bouncer she starts probing his mind, testing for any sort of defence, despite the unlikeliness of them.

So handsome... Qui muttered to himself. He was a jealous, but he hid it in most respects. He was envious of anyone whom even touched her. He sighs heavily, shifting uncomfortably as he watched her. Finally he settled, maintaining his cool aired demeanor.

The bouncer looked at her with a smile in return as he pertend to check the list, but his eyes shifted toward her. "Uh...yea, yea. You're on the list. Go right in." He said, opening the door for her.

Qui grinned to himself as she stepped toward the door. He skipped the people in line just as she did. He chuckled to himself inwardly at his approach. He sauntered up to the man, and pushed his trenchcoat to the side revealing he bare chest, alabastor skin covering very well toned muscles. "So handsome," he mimicked Katarina in quite a humerous display. The bouncer looked at him in complete shock, and flinched slightly.

"Get out of here!" the bouncer said, pressing him forward with a stare. Qui, however did not move. "What the hell are you on?" The bouncer really didn't want to have to make Qui leave. He didn't want to get into a fight with him. However, maybe the situation would have been different had the bouncer known Qui's name.

Qui laughed outwardly. "No? Not on the list?" he asked.

"Get out of here punk!" he said, pushing Qui back with a shove, which was considered light to him. Qui laughed again. Qui tilted his head and his smile faded quickly as he took on a serious air. He delivered a swift blow to the face with the back of his hand. He turned around quickly and delivered a spinning back kick to the bouncer. He fell to the floor...unconscious. The people looked at him, stepping back. He opened both doors, and looked back.

"Due to lack of funding...the bouncer has been fired, and the club is now opening an hour early. Enjoy." He walked to Katarina's side, and slid his hand behind and around her back.

"So much for no violence Qui.", says Katarina. "Well, now that we are in here, we might as well dance." With a grin she spins on to the dance floor, and begins moving in ways and at speeds that even a human after years of training could still not accomplish. "Darling" she shouts to Qui, over the din of the music, "Come dance with me in all our glory."

A form slid fluidly into the crowd of people making their way into the club. Once inside Maximus slinked silently over to the side, near the bar. Sitting down on a stool he faced the bar, but watching the reflection of the club behind the bar through the mirror.

"What can I get you for you buddy?" prompted the barkeep.

"Give me your best." came the quiet reply.

"Right." the barkeep replied, and expertly poured him a glass of the house's best.

Maximus sipped the drink, seemingly absorbed in his drink. Yet, his eyes followed Qui and Katarina behind him.

"Hello there big boy." came the feminine voice next to him.

Maximus shifted his head slightly to the side. An attractive mortal stood there, obviously revealing more than she should morally have been.

"Go away please, I'm not interested."

"Oh come on, aren't you going to buy a lady her drink?"

"Very well then...barkeep!" he replied, raising his hand slightly to catch the attention of the man.

The barkeep came over and noticed the prostitute.

"Angela, how many times do I have to tell you to leave these young ones alone?"

"Only doing my job Paul, now do as the man says." she quipped, before turning her attention to Maximus once again.

"You look lonely, you sure you ok?" she asked, seemingly interested in a possible story.

"Woman, it is for your own good you leave. Do not anger me. I am not interested in your whoring. Now leave!" came the sharp hiss.

Maximus turned his head slightly, glaring at the woman with black eyes that seemed to reflect darkness even the night could not compare with.

"Fine then you asshole. I hope you rot in hell!" she retorted before stomping off. Soon enough she was putting her moves on another mortal.

Maximus shook his head in disgust.

If Skadi had been here, she'd have been dead already...

His eyes moved back to the mirror, finding Katarina dancing expertly in the middle of the dance floor.

Woman knows her moves... he thought, slightly impressed.

-tag-

"Not violence," Qui said with a smile. "Just a little fun."

"Well, now that we are in here, we might as well dance." With a grin she spins on to the dance floor, and begins moving in ways and at speeds that even a human after years of training could still not accomplish.

Qui's jaw nearly dropped to the ground. How he kept it shut no one could be sure. He looked toward her, his eyes flickering in the light softly. A supressed smile crossed his face, as much as he tried to hinder it. Two can play at that game. A glint of fangs coul be seen. People passed in front of him, and then, he suddenly disappeared.

As Katarina looked around someone came up behind her, moving with the rythm of her body. People stopped to stare, more so to learn something than to watch.

Katarina feels the body behind her, and starts to sinously twist and writhe, moving faster and faster, to the point where her body starts to blur, her twirls and moves, taken from every culture and every style, were almost indistinguisable from one another. Someone from the crowd tosses her a couple strings of glow sticks Ha ha Qui, a 'Rave' club with a grin she starts whirling the glowsticks on their strings, dancing between them, in and out of their whirling lights.

Dom watched with a smile from a table. He recognized the two vampires on the dancefloor from his two years at the academy. He smiled as Katarina danced quickly, moving faster than a human should.

He had dressed for a rave, and planned to live the nightlife all night. He had a fishnet shirt on with a black vest over it. His black cargo pants had a number of chains hanging off of them, and jingled whenever he moved. He was travelling unarmed, for the first time in a very long time.

Qui's jaw did drop open slightly. Well, I knew you were talented, you've proven that to me...but this is... She could finish that sentenc on her own. She could feel what he was feeling.

Well apparently i'm not dressed to 'rave'. Qui said to her softly. He removed his trenchcoat, throwing it to the side to reveal his bare chest. The temperature seemed to rise within the room, maybe it was just a feeling or whim, who knew?

With lightning fast reflexes, he continued, the strings missing him by a fraction of a centimeter, and not once was he hit. It was like a spar, he conclueded, except for the fact it was more enjoyable.

Dom chuckled to himself. They were practically sparring out there.

Katarina charges the strings of glowsticks with a bit of foxfire, not much, but enough to make the glow more intense and make them sting whomever they connected. This done she begins spinning faster and faster, whipping the lines towards Qui with the intent to connect with him, lightly, but enough to show she could accomplish it.

Qui bent sideways to avoid the glow sticks. He then realized what Katarina was trying to do and smiled at her. I love the type of woman who could kick my ass...

He flipped backwards, as one of them grazed his side lightly. He laughed as he bent down to avoid yet another one. "Never said you wanted whips involved, love." He said, chuckling to himself. He was hit yet again in the chest, but he didnt' mind. Maybe she really was fast enough, maybe he was enjoying it. Who knew?

He turned around to grab both of them, the right one first. He smiled as he stepped towards her, and lifted his arm in a circular motion around her, the string combined with a small tug causing her to be drawn to him.

"I believe that means I've won." He smiled lightly.

Spinning inwards, towards Qui, Katarina grins. She acts as if she will fall into his arms, and then strikes at his chest, hard enough to knock him back a few feet should she connect.

Qui was expecting to accept her into his arms when he was punched squarely in the chest. He places his hand to his chest. "Ow..." he teases with a laugh. His voice deepens in a whisper. "Now that's quite unfair my dear." A wolfish grin crossed his face and it was as if she could read his mind. Would she even want to. He raised his eyebrow and leaned forward slightly.

I'll have to repay you later for that... He winks and grasps toward her wrists, trying to twist them behind her back to force her to give. Around people watched, but Qui didn't notice. he was in his own world...but what else was new?

Qui was expecting to accept her into his arms when he was punched squarely in the chest. He places his hand to his chest. "Ow..." he teases with a laugh. His voice deepens in a whisper. "Now that's quite unfair my dear." A wolfish grin crossed his face and it was as if she could read his mind. Would she even want to. He raised his eyebrow and leaned forward slightly.

I'll have to repay you later for that... He winks and grasps toward her wrists, trying to twist them behind her back to force her to give. Around people watched, but Qui didn't notice. he was in his own world...but what else was new?

Katarina allows Qui to twist her wrists around, ending up with her arms behind her back. "Oh Qui, we both know you enjoy this sort of thing." Says Katarina, as she flips backwards, landing behind Qui.

Qui chuckles to himself. She knew him to well. Perhaps...perhaps... He turned around to face her once again. The music was blaring, and he could not deny that his sensitive ears were picking up every bit of it. He was used to it, however, and enjoyed the heavy music playing. He tilted his head towards her. I'll talk to you later, but right now I have some abducting to do.

In a quick rush he attempted to grab her and pick her up.

Katarina allows Qui to rush at her and grab her, beign picked up and carried by him. "HELP ME" she screams at the top of her lungs, kicking and flailing convincingly, "HEEEELLLLLP, GET THE POLICE, SOMEONE, PLEASE." she shrieks loudly. A moment later she glances down at Qui's face, her eyes twinkling in laughter.

"I knew it," he chuckled to himself, and returned the look. "I am the only one who can make you scream." He laughed slightly, knowing that there was definately more meaning behind that. He carried her out of the club, not setting her down once. The bouncer still lay on the ground. Pity... he mocked with a laugh.

Maximus turned as he watched Qui walk out with Katarina.

"A lovers' entertainment..." he spoke to no one in particular.

Yet, something still nagged him to keep an eye on them. Tipping the barkeep, he silently followed the two from a distance, out the club and past the fallen bouncer.

Maximus followed the shadows, keeping himself hidden as he trailed behind Qui and Katarina.

Qui's smile faded quickly as he saw a black limo a ways off from the club. He put Katarina down, almost instinctively stepping in front of her. He looked around him, realizing that there were a few people on either closing in on either side of them. Two in front. Three on either side and in the back. He looked toward the window of the limo and sneered as it was rolled down. He couldnt' see inside, but he knew exactly who it was. How could he not know.

"How the hell are you alive!" He yelled out towards it, and received no answer. "Answer me!" There was no answer again. As the semi-circle formed around him, he deliberately kept Katarina out of their shot range. There was elven in total...and not humans. Apparently a specific coven didn't like him. Just another to add to the collection, if it hadn't have been for their sire.

"Katarina..." he said softly to her. "Run."

"And leave you to face these punks all by yourself?" Whispers Katarina, "I think not." Stepping closer to Qui, she activates one of her enchantments, and a pair of familiar weights drop into her palms. "Here you go darling," She says, handing him a katana, "Where would you be without me?"

Maximus had seen the limo and the surrounding figures as well. Shaking his head slightly, he drew Glamdring, it's familiar hilt forming perfectly with his palm.

Behind him, a song emanated from the club, one Maximus recognized as Metallica's Seek and Destroy beating out its quick pulse of bass, guitar and drums.

He moved instantly into action, dropping the mental shield he had been holding. Glamdring whipped through the air, catching one of the figures advancing upon Qui and Katarina by surprise. The figure's head dropped to the ground and rolled to Qui's feet, a look of shock upon its face. When it rolled into his feet and ceased moving, Maximus was standing next to the two.

"No matter where you may be, you will never know who is just around the corner, either friend or foe... Now...let's have a little fun eh?"

Maximus grinned, flashing his fangs at the two, yet keeping his attention upon the approaching figures.

The odds had been evened slightly...

Qui took the katana quickly from Katarina. He noticed Maximus as well, and swore silently. His demeanor had changed completely, cold and unaffected. He advanced in front of both once again. “Go quickly…Katarina. If he gets to you…” He bent his head down slightly, hiding emotion from her behind his eyes. “Run…” he commanded to his apprentice.

“Maximus,” he said, not turning his glance toward the young vampire at his side. “Take care of her…if she gets hurt…it’s your head I’m after. Go. Now!” Qui snapped as Electricity surged through his hand and into the blade, charging it for his attack. He drew his arm in an upward sweep to knock two of them aside; enough room for Katarina and Maximus can get out of there.

I can handle them…they are not what I’m worried about... He knew the man that was in that car too well for his liking. He had always hated him, and that man would do anything to destroy Qui’s life.

Maximus watched Qui momentarily, before taking Katarina's hand, and pulling her quickly away from Qui.

"Wait! I'm not leaving him!" she protested to him, but he kept his grip on her hand.

"Don't worry about him, he's more than capable of taking care of the others."

Maximus held her hand, as they leapt to the rooftops gracefully, and began to move farther and farther from the area. He knew better than to argue with Qui...after all, he was the son of a seraphim...something he couldn't claim....

Dom had watched the two leave, and noticed the figure follow them out. HE smiled, until he heard the sound of a man being decapitated. Nothing makes a sound like that, and he could pick it up through the noise. He stood up quickly, and rushed for the door.

He came out and saw Qui standing off against a number of men. Dom cracked his knuckles. He said jokingly,"Qui, do you require assistance?" He sniffed the air, and looked at the men. Vampires. "Maybe you do." Dom pulled the daggers from his boots, dropping into an appropriate fighting stance.

Katarina struggles fiercely as Maximus trys to drag her away. "I...Will not leave him." she says, fighting against Maximus' attempts to pull her away. Her usual strength, however, was sapped from a long nights hunting and dancing, and she found that she couldent fight any longer. As Maximus pulls her away over the rooftops, her voice shatters the tranquil nights' silence with a keening, anguished cry of "Quiiii....."

"Run Katarina!" he yelled to her as a blade sliced across his arm, then his chest. He winced, and looked at Dom. "When the last falls, protect the girl." he said, motioning to where Katarina and Maximus were running. At least she wouldn't be cold...she had his trenchcoat on. "...Please." he said exasperated. It was not a word Qui used often.

His blade slashed across to decapitate two. There were seven remaining, four on the left three on the right. He struck out again, the wounds visably healing on his bare back.

Dom nodded,"Okay." Dom leaped at one of the attackers, driving both daggers into the vampires throat. He ripped them out sideways, and the vampire fell to the ground.

Dom yelled as another cut his arm deep with a sword. Dom put a backspin into his next blow and belted the vampire across the face with his fist. He flew into the wall, where Dom decended on him.

Half a mile away from Qui, Katarina finally rips free of Maximus, and crouches, exhausted on the rooftop. Moodily she stares back from whence they came, vampiric ears straining to hear the faint sounds of the battle.

Qui immediately whipped his katana through the air and through the last one's chest, causing him to fall to the ground in dust. He heard the door click open and drew in a breath as he saw the figure. It was a man about two inches taller than Qui, around 6"6 or so. His jet black hair and piercing eyes lay in great contrast to his alabastor skin. From the moment he stepped out of the car, a great anger awoke in Qui.

He glared at the figure, Qui baring somewhat of a resemblence to him. Get out of here Dom...find her and keep her safe. Don't stop running. Thoughts of Katarina rushed through his mind, and his anger intensified. Of what this man had done to Rave...of all the years he had left and come back...so many things....so many things.

The man smiled before him, revealing a set of fangs only briefly. He was no fledgling. He was of ancient, but of a different sort. He was a maester vampire. It was he that sired Ravelyn millenia ago when she was an angel washed up upon the beach. The sweet blood of a seraphim could not be denied. He had taken advantage of this weakness...and that had made him stronger.

"You're supposed to be dead old man..." Qui said. The man before him looked naught but around thirty five, but his presence was stronger than Qui's. However, it was supressed so as to not draw attraction. Qui sneered again, holding his ground with a low growl.

"Death is only the beginning...Rave may have killed me at one point," he looked awefully pale, even for a vampire of such age. "You should show respect to your elders..."

"Respect is earned," Qui said, removing his katana from the ground and twisting it in front of him.

"You need to be taught a lesson, boy." the man scoffed, and stepped toward Qui. Qui could sense there was something not right about him. Terribly not right. He wasn't of the dead or living any more.

"I'm a teacher now, Daja." he said with a intimidating glare. "Maybe you should take one of my classes...you might learn something." In a flash, both rushed at each other.

Qui immediately whipped his katana through the air and through the last one's chest, causing him to fall to the ground in dust. He heard the door click open and drew in a breath as he saw the figure. It was a man about two inches taller than Qui, around 6"6 or so. His jet black hair and piercing eyes lay in great contrast to his alabastor skin. From the moment he stepped out of the car, a great anger awoke in Qui.

He glared at the figure, Qui baring somewhat of a resemblence to him. Get out of here Dom...find her and keep her safe. Don't stop running. Thoughts of Katarina rushed through his mind, and his anger intensified. Of what this man had done to Rave...of all the years he had left and come back...so many things....so many things.

The man smiled before him, revealing a set of fangs only briefly. He was no fledgling. He was of ancient, but of a different sort. He was a maester vampire. It was he that sired Ravelyn millenia ago when she was an angel washed up upon the beach. The sweet blood of a seraphim could not be denied. He had taken advantage of this weakness...and that had made him stronger.

"You're supposed to be dead old man..." Qui said. The man before him looked naught but around thirty five, but his presence was stronger than Qui's. However, it was supressed so as to not draw attraction. Qui sneered again, holding his ground with a low growl.

"Death is only the beginning...Rave may have killed me at one point," he looked awefully pale, even for a vampire of such age. "You should show respect to your elders..."

"Respect is earned," Qui said, removing his katana from the ground and twisting it in front of him.

"You need to be taught a lesson, boy." the man scoffed, and stepped toward Qui. Qui could sense there was something not right about him. Terribly not right. He wasn't of the dead or living any more.

"I'm a teacher now, Daja." he said with a intimidating glare. "Maybe you should take one of my classes...you might learn something." In a flash, both rushed at each other.

Dom ran as the last one fell, following his promise to Qui. He could hear two people talking , one of them Qui. But he just had to get to Katarina. He stopped and looked around, he was going in the right direction. Where was she? He hadn't met the vampire that took her away, but he felt he could trust him.

Dom found what he was looking for, evidence of their passing. He took off in the direction.

Fairly quickly, he came upon the two. "Qui told me to come and help protect you Katarina."

OOC: just out of curiosity...is Dom a vampire too?

IC:
Maximus ignored the two before him, focusing his telepathic probes farther from their location.

Qui was fighting someone...someone very powerful. Someone even he feared. This was not good. Qui knew who it was, but Maximus did not, and that bothered him greatly.

Yet, he knew when Qui was afraid. And he was afraid now. Maximus had smelled the fear in Qui's tone in those brief moments he had spoken to him.

They needed to get farther from the battle.

Now.

Retracting his probes he spoke quietly, keeping a viligant eye in the direction of the battle:

"We must get farther away. Qui is battling someone more powerful than we ourselves could even hope to survive against."

Picking up Katarina again, this time more gently, he looked into her eyes and asked quietly:

"Now, will you comply and follow me, or will I have to force you to come along? You need to trust me on this Katarina."

OOC: Yeah, Dom is. He went to the Shentavo Academy the first year.

Dom stood. "Qui looked frightened when I left. He was very insitant that I leave tho."

-double post deleted-

Katarina turns and stares and Maximus, her eyes icyhot and boring into the depths of his soul, or so it seemed. "Put. Me. Down." she says, and the air around her bursts into flame, igniting anything flammable, but leaving her and her possesions untouched. She stares thoughtfully back towards Qui, and after hearing his wishes echo through the path of her mind, she turns and moves across the rooftops, away from the battle. 15 miles away she halts, she had almost lost touch with Qui's mind.

Dom stepped back as Katarina made the air burn, and then took off. "Oh well," muttered Dom as he took off after her over the roof tops.

Maximus followed Katarina, but from a slight distance. She was obviously quite pissed, but he had made a promise to Qui. He kept up with her easily, as she was tired from earlier.

And he never went back on his word. Never.

In the meantime, he kept a constant pyschic survey of the surrounding area as they moved along. He could also sense that Katarina was having some sort of connection to Qui.

Probably just a link to see how he's doing...

He stopped right beside her again and spoke in the same quiet tone he was known to use frequently:

"You need to cut the psychic link with Qui...now. If I could sense it, do you not think that the one Qui is trying to fight off can just as easily follow it? Listen to my words Katarina, I know what I am talking about..."

Daja met with him head on. Qui threw and upper cut to his face, which caused part of his lip to split open. Daja, however, countered in taking the katana from Qui. In a quick reversal, the blade slid through his abdoment. With a harsh spinning kick to the hilt, it was pushed into him until the beginning of the hilt. Qui was sent back against the wall. Bricks cumbled as he hit it.

"Who is this that you care for so much?" Daja asked. Qui knew exactly whom Daja was referring to.

"No one..." he said as he stood up and stabalized himself, drawing the katana from him. The pain echoed through his body. "Just met her tonight. No one you'd be interested in, father."

"Well," he said softly. "I will see to that..." Qui rushed him again, taking a vicious shot at his left knee, breaking the bone. Daja still stood.

Impossible... Qui thought to himself, and threw another punch. Strength had always been on Qui's side...but not this time. He was knocked flat on his back, his head thrown into the pavement. He felt the countless blows receded, and he looked up.

"You have much to learn, my boy." Daja scoffed...and left him there on the abandoned parking lot, barely conscious.
Let's see just who she is.

"Vex me not Maximus," she says angrily. "I have gone far enough, and i will go no further." With a gesture at his singed clothes, she says "To try and force me to continue might prove... Unhealthy."

Maximus snarled in response. Katarina was proving to be a real pain.

Forgive me Qui...I tried...

He was getting a really bad vibe, and it wrenched his mind's attention.

"Fine, stay here, don't listen to me. We better get ready then. Something or someone is bound to come."

With that, he looked about them, taking in the details of the area about them. At the least, he was not going to be caught on unfamiliar territory.

A large box-like structure lay not too far from them and further inspection revealed it to be the uppermost opening of an elevator shaft.

Might be useful...perhaps to hide Katarina within?

Assuming she's not being the bitch...

Katarina's defiance annoyed Maximus, but he was forced to tolerate it. His patience was beginning to run thin though...

"Dom, we're sticking here, so get ready." he commanded, as he drew Glamdring and faced Katarina.

"We need to make the approach of our pursuers difficult. Is there anything you can do to help? Or are you going to be a bitch and pout?" he asked with a slight icy tone.

Staring coldly at Maximus, Katarina says "But of course." She begins to set up tripwires and such, and lays out vials of Holy water for use as grenades.

Dom couldn't do anything to slow them.

"I excel in combat, not traps. I can only help when and if they get here."

He unzipped a hidden zipper on his vest and took off an outer layer. Underneath where many knives of different size.

Maximus nodded to Dom in response. The two waited until Katarina finished what she was doing.

"I suggest we get into the elevator shaft over here. It will create a limited entry, something we can have better control over the situation."

His eyes went back and forth between the two as he waited for a response.

Was that bad feeling getting worse? He didn't know yet, but soon he would...

"I don't know about that. It might not be smart to get into a small space. In a gunfight, that would be good, but this will be hand to hand combat. Better to have a larger space."

Maximus considered this momentarily.

"You may be right, but keep in mind, we're here to protect her."

A hand gestured over to Katarina, who gave a slight angered glare at Maximus. Maximus glared back briefly.

She didn't phase him, even with her elementals. He wasn't going to let her...

"Well, one of us could take her down there, and one of us could stay up here. A sort of forewarning."

"You are aware that not only can i hear you, but i can understand and take insult, correct?" Says Katarina angrily. "I will NOT be hidden away when I can fight, and you BOTH know full well that i can. I refuse to be treated like some delicate porcelain doll, and if you dont both stop being stupid, I'm going to go back to where Qui is. that, or stab myself and tell him you two let it happen." Turns quietly away from Maximus and Dom after her rant, and begins checking her weaponry. A moment later she turns around again, and says "If you need a demonstration of my usefullness, just look down at your feet." Weeds and grasses that had been growing in the cracks of the roofs had grown twenty years in two minutes, and were now waving around, grasping at Dom and Maximus' feet. A moment later they subside, untill the attackers would come.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. Qui told us to get you away and keep you away. That's all we're doing."

Dom was not used to being yelled at. He looked up at her.

"What do you think we should do? Except for go back."

Maximus let out a grunt of impatience.

"You're right then. The three of us working together will prove to be a difficult front against them."

Maximus fell silent momentarily as he contemplated his next words carefully.

"Katarina, what do you say we put aside our differences, and cooperate as a team?"

Futile traps and many knives would not save the fate of the girl. Nor would her elementals alone. As Ravelyn had done before, she had faced against a demon lord; Mephistop. Mephistop had taken her life with his. Both had died. It had been such a struggle, even for Rave.

Qui had not faired much better. He wondered why his father didn't kill them, as rivers of emnity flowed through both their veins toward eachother. Qui stirred slightly, but for the most part was knocked out cold. The reverberations of the sword hitting his spine had been shocking to him. He would heal, but he couldn't bring himself to see the world in front of him. He did not move.

Daja walked down the dark allyways, following the link between Qui and Katarina. There always would be one. I see you taken up a fledgling... he whispered softly to himself. Let's hope she is not like Ravelyn in spirit... Indeed, Ravelyn had been the one to kill him. Killed her own sire and her son's father. It would not matter, his darkness had proved to him to be very useful; as maester of the hell of Evanescing. It had granted him much sway in persuasion and battle.

And Ravelyn, my love, he thought to himself. Will be the next to fall... He would take her to be his bride, a seraphim to be Queen of Evanescing. She would fall. His dark trenchcoat wrapped around him like a twisted snake as his dark eyes looked before him.

Katarina felt as though she was being drained of her magic, like it was slowly being stripped away. It was extremely slow, barely noticable until the effects hit. He watched her so carefully. "I refuse to be treated like some delicate porcelain doll, and if you dont both stop being stupid, I'm going to go back to where Qui is."Arrogant and prideful...sounds much of like to my son. he thought to himself, his thuoghts well guarded. There was no seraphim here to kill him, nor did seraphim invoke the fear that once was held within his eyes.

In the darkness, he brough his eyes up toward the three, but directly at Katarina. "What do you think we should do? Except for go back." one of them said. To this he revealed himself, the moonlight from broken windows passed over his pale face.

"There is no going back," he said softly and in a refined manner. He looked at Katarina with a half smile. "And you might not find much, my dear..." it was strange how he spoke most like Qui, but with more eloquence it would seem. "There is not much left of the boy."

A grimace of fear quickly flashes across Katarina's face, quickly replaced by a mask of twisted Rage. Feeling her power draining, she trys to stem the flow, at least a little bit, to retain something for the fight to come. "I swear Daja, if he has so much as a single scar, i will hunt you for the rest of my days." With those words Katarina draws her Katana, and settles back into a readied stance, awaiting Daja's next move.

The chilling voice that sliced the night air sent chills up Maximus's spine.

Qui...so....easily disposed...

Maximus held Glamdring out to the side, blade facing downward. His other hand drew one of the elven daggers from its sheath upon his backside and readied itself to the other side, after swooping both weapons through the air and returning both to the downward angle.

Maximus concentrated upon the ancient with his full attention. His eyes blazed with fury. Nobody messed with his friends...not Rave, not Qui, and not even Katarina. The two of them may have had their differences, but she was a Shentavo, and he was an ally to any of them.

"You'll regret what you've done to Qui..." he growled icily as he stood slightly to the side of the ancient. He saw Dom himself maneuver to another strategic position on the other side of Daja.

For a few moments, nothing moved except for the clouds which parted to reveal the full light of the moon. The wind whipped through the air across the rooftops...

Dom could sense his power the instant he spoke. This guy was powerful. Really powerful. And to have beaten Qui.

Dom drew his two favorite blades and went into a fighting stance.

Damn, I might not win this one.

Nevertheless, he smiled viciously. Maximus was on the other side, as well as Katarina.

Daja laughed out loud, breaking the silence. It was a haunting laugh, one that would send chills down the spine. He looked at Katarina, he lifted his hand. He was so far away, but he could feel his touch brush up against the side of her cheek as he laughed silently behind his wicked smile. “You would hunt me down for the rest of your life, my dear?” he asked, mimicking Qui’s style of speech. Perhaps it was his own, and Qui had taken it from him. “That may just prove a game to me…and I grow tired of games.”
He looked toward Maximus. “Regret what I’ve done to my son?” in this the truth was revealed. This had been the man that Maximus had seen on the spheres. This had been the man upon the beach. This had been the man that Ravelyn had been so afraid of when she had first arrived on this world; washed up on the beach. “No…I’ll never regret that.” Nor would he ever regret what he did to Ravelyn. She, after all, was to become fallen by marriage when he took her hand in his; with or without her vows.
He did not have any weapons. “Miss Katarina…” he said softly, savoring the energy he was drawing from her. “You look tired…” he smiled. “Perhaps you should lie down.” A wave of calmness passed over her, intensely upon her body as it sought to bring her into a deep sleep. Katarina then knew where Qui had gotten the power of manipulations from. But this was no manipulation of magic...it was one of mind. He felt her muscles easing, and smiled in satisfaction.

“One of you may want to catch her,” he said with a smile, revealing fangs. The demon lord of Evanescing scanned over the two. And mere fledglings… he thought to himself.

Maximus could sense the manipulative speech given to Katarina.

"Katarina! Don't list----"

Daja spoke to them in the same hypnotic speech: "One of you may want to catch her."

Maximus's mind initially gave a struggle of psychic energy, but the ancient was simply too strong. Within moments, his own face seemed dead in emotion as he stepped next to Katarina, catching her as she began to fall to her knees.

Struggling, Katarina lifts her face upwards, her mind and body becoming overcome with suggested fatigue. "Daja...," she says, dropping to her knees and wincing as an abandoned glass bottle shatters beneath her knee. The pain jolts her for a second, but she continues slipping down. "Daja..." she says, dropping her permenant magics in an attempt to save energy. "DAJA..." she says, a sudden outburst of emotion and energy bursts from here, "You have underestimated me. While i may not be able to beat you, I can still fight!" With these words a shimmering appears in the air, and her prone form is lifted just off the ground, back arching in pain. Appearing out of her back, seamlessly joined with her form, a pair of snow white, feathered wings appear.

The sudden burst of energy from Katarina was all he needed to break free from the hypnotic state Maximus was in.

He shook his head slightly, then caught sight of Katarina's forming wings. His eyes widened.

Would the Shentavos and their relations ever stop surprising him?

Involuntarily, he stepped backward, allowing Katarina more room. It was time to see what she was indeed capable of...

He held Glamdring downwards, but still easily to be pulled into action if necessary.

His mind wondered what else he could possibly not know yet...

Dom stepped back as the wings appeared, shimmering in the moonlight.

Well, now. That's unusual.

Dom stood to his full height, ready to go back to his stance at any moment. This was just very unusual.

Strange...I am taking a seraphim to be my bride. She will not be able to go against me. And you, not even an angel with falsified wings and pretences challenge me. Very well then," Daja said softly. He seemed very quite on the outside.

As he lifted his eyes, the very fires of hell could be seen. That is when it was realized, that they were not messing with an ancient vampire...but rather a demon... A maester of Evanescing.

The end of his trenchcoat caught fire and he quickly removed it, remaining unscathed and revealing his physical strength only enhanced by his blood. He reached upon his back and removed two great swords, each the width of a head, and five feet in length. He weilded them skillfully, twisting them in his hands without a single break in concentration.

There was a reason that the leech relationship with Katarina could not be broken easily...Technically, Daja was related to her when Qui sired her, as he had sired Ravelyn. "Petty parlor tricks Miss Katarina, is what they are to me. You will find that magic may prove very little use to you. He smiled wickedly.
____

Qui stirred slightly, and pulled himself to his feet. As he regained consciousness, the wounds started to close, and he winced in pain. He grabbed the bloodened sword that lay on the ground, and chucked it aside. He walked to the limo, no one left to guard it and looked in side. Tearing up the seat, he grabbed two items and took them with him as he walked down the street hurridly. Blood trickeled down from his forehead. If you so much as touch her... he thought to himself. He had no idea where they were...his connection had been blocked.

Maximus looked across the way to Dom who made eye contact with him. Both nodded ever so slightly to each other. Both would need to attack at the same time...

Maximus was about to begin his attack, when he realized the problem...

He spoke telepathically to only Katarina and Dom.

Katarina, Dom...he cannot be defeated by magic or strength alone...he must be countered with his polar opposite!!

Maximus kept his eye upon the demon, ready for any attack that might be directed toward him.

Any suggestions would be useful now! Maximus said telepathically to the other two. The demon still could not read those thoughts. That was perhaps the one noticeable advantage that Maximus had against the demon...

*cries* Please...please...please PLEASE do NOT PRE-EMPT!

*cries* Please...please...please PLEASE do NOT PRE-EMPT!

:oops: Sorry...got carried away...edited...now please don't cry...

"Suggestions?" he said with a wicked smile on his face. "There are no time for suggestions." He lifted both swords before him, then withdrew one to the side. He chuckled as Qui ofen did. "Polar opposite?" he asked, his laughter greatening. "There is not a seraphim here in miles...Maximus. So if you were expecting some form of great rescue, forget about it." His thoughts dweled on Ravelyn.

This was the man, Maximus would recall, that he did not understand from the spheres. Had Ravelyn once not asked him to go on one sphere and cursed his name, and the other been pleading him not to leave upon the beach.

"That could be a mixed blessing for you," he said softly, knowing his attention would be diverted. "Now...you see, we can do this quite simply, or you can make it fun. Either way...." he looked at Katarina. "I'm taking the girl with me."

"Suggestions?" he said with a wicked smile on his face. "There are no time for suggestions." He lifted both swords before him, then withdrew one to the side. He chuckled as Qui ofen did. "Polar opposite?" he asked, his laughter greatening. "There is not a seraphim here in miles...Maximus. So if you were expecting some form of great rescue, forget about it." His thoughts dweled on Ravelyn.

This was the man, Maximus would recall, that he did not understand from the spheres. Had Ravelyn once not asked him to go on one sphere and cursed his name, and the other been pleading him not to leave upon the beach.

"That could be a mixed blessing for you," he said softly, knowing his attention would be diverted. "Now...you see, we can do this quite simply, or you can make it fun. Either way...." he looked at Katarina. "I'm taking the girl with me."

Maximus growled, baring his fangs as he held Glamdring menacingly. Not only was Daja beginning to really get on his nerves, he had apparently read his hidden thoughts...a sign of a powerful being...

"Why do you want her? What use is she to you?"

Maximus held Glamdring pointed toward Daja, ready for any hostile actions..

Katarina looks to Maximus and then to Dom, her inner conflict show within her eyes. "To be noble, or to go out in a blaze of glory?" she asks noone in particular. After a moment, she bows mockingly to Dom and Maximus. "As I said, boys, you werent needed. Granted someone a bit stronger would have been nice, but in the end you were worthless to me." She stares off in the direction where they left Qui, and frowns as she realizes her connection to him was cut off. "Give Qui my regards, and tell him that if he is going to rescue me, he had best get some help above and beyond my protectors." She turns and walks towards Daja, and nothing but the look in her eyes betrays the quivering of her soul. She stops halfway to him as a thought strikes her. "Daja, you have me peacefully, on one condition. They," she gestures to Dom and Maximus, "go free and unharmed by you or your minions. Agreed?"

Daja smiled at Katarina's request. He took the girl by the arm, pulling her towards him. He ran his hand down the side of her face. "I believe we have an agreement, Miss Shentavo."

The doors open behind him. "If you will be so kind as to follow me..."

"Ah crap. Qui's going to kill me." Dom knew that it was no use to argue with her. And this Daja character would probably kill him if he tried anything. He also felt slightly hurt at her comments, but knew that he wasn't the oldest vampire around.

Dom twirled his knives and returned them to their holsters.

Maximus let out a loud growl, menacingly baring his fangs. He was pissed, both because of Katarina's remarks and because of her sudden change to comply with Daja's requests. Maximus charged the doors that the two had entered but they slammed shut, and refused to open despite his efforts. Maximus let out another loud growl.

"Damn her! Such a weak resistance she has!" he seethed.

Turning back to Dom while sheathing his weapons, he spoke with an icy tone:

"We need to go find Qui, see if he's alive. He probably knows more about this Daja than I do. Maybe then, the three of us can work to find Katarina and Daja, and defeat the demon..."

Maximus immediately took off running back in the direction they had come. Qui was going to be upset, no doubt, but Maximus would have to tell him the truth of what had happened...