NationStates Jolt Archive

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IC- In Germany, a force stirred. A long lived being had awoken once again. Krastatros, an ancient vampire lord with a vendetta against mankind, had nearly died many years ago. He was regenerating his strength. He remembered the day like it was yesterday...


Jerusalem, The Third Crusade

Inside the city, the Muslims and Europeans fought mercilessly. Both sides thought they were fighting foe their gods. But really, they were fighting because Krastatros had influenced both sides. However, King Richard the Lionhearted of England found out about his, and rushed foward to meet him in battle.

"You foul devil. Cease this war. Let our nations live without battle."

"You pathetic human. As if you can stop me. I am a being so powerful your God fears me. Whay can you do to defeat me?"

At this, Lionhearted unseathed a holy blade. Krastatros' eyes widened when he saw it. He knew this blade. It was the blade that Michael the Archangel used to defeat Satan's demons in battle. Still, it was wielded by a mortal. Krastatros unleashed his own blade, and the two clashed. Their swords clanged together. Both were skilled. Warriors of both sides died around them. For hours they continued. Then, Krastatros made a mistake. He tried to use a spell on Richard. However, the sword reversed the spell. The black wave of death that he intended to hit Richard blasted him. He was already dead, so it didn't kill him, but it gave Richard enough time to thrust the blade into his heart.

"Ahhh....." Krastatros almost died there. But Richard underestimated him. He left him there to die. However, his followers took him. They retreated from battle, and brought him to Germany. While he was recuperating, his subordinate was in charge.

Finally, he was ready. He looked across the world. "All of this world will perish. I will remake it. Cultivate it. Purge it.



Meanwhile, in a small village in Germany, a mercenary named Erik waked around. He sensed that the powers of darkness was gathering. Little did he know, however, that a force of undead was gathering right outside of the town...

That Morning

The sun shone brightly down onto the ground and the sky was unbroken by clouds. The fields were ready to harvest and all seemed to be at peace. That is until a boy; only about ten began barreling through the rows of wheat. He stumbled once, corrected himself and kept running. His father would be angry at him for trampling the harvest, yet the look in the boy’s crystal blue eyes was pure terror and fear. He didn’t bother stopping when he reached a small brook, his momentum carried him forward into the water and he slipped as he got on the other side, covering the front of his clothes with mud.

He scrambled up the slight rise to the dirt road and just beyond it was a small collection of clay and thatch houses. The inhabitants were already about their business and turned with raised eye brows as the boy came running into the village. His father ceased chopping wood in the back of their home and in an instant saw something was wrong with his son.

“Helmut…what is wrong?”

The boy shuddered and simply grabbed at his father’s arm and pointed back beyond the wheat. “One of our cows…”

That is all he had to say. His father handed him to his mother and grabbed and axe and was followed by four others out towards the pasture where the cattle grazed. They found what they were looking for fairly quickly. A white black spotted female lay on her side, her throat slashed wide open in several spots, and flies buzzed around the carcass as the men came up. They counted the rest of the herd, all were counted for.

Helmut’s father stared at the body; his blood ran colder than a winter storm. There was no blood around the body spare for some splatter on the hide. The men looked at each other; they didn’t have to speak to know what had happened. It was no wolf attack, if it was the cow would have been sliced wide open and the parts they didn’t like would be on the ground.

One of the men left and returned a little time later with oil, torch, and rope. They dragged the carcass to an area strewed with rocks, poured oil onto the dead animal and burned it. The rocks prevented the rest of the field from burning and once the fire had died down, axes were brought upon the remains, the remains were burned again and once the fire had died, the ashes were scattered.

The men went back into the village and continued for the rest of the day in silence. When night began to near, they gathered the cattle and brought them in and erected several crude wooden crosses around them. Then, they went into their homes, axes at the ready.


The night was dark and the moon was full. A figure crept through the woods towards the village. Katrina felt her gut twisting in millions of knots. It was time to feed. She didn’t like killing the cow from the previous night, she had come from a poor community like the one she was approaching and didn’t want to add any stress to their lives, but she had to eat…or drink.

Her tongue made another pass over her teeth, feeling her fangs. They felt uncomfortable and it made her stand out besides her milky white skin. Her clothes were ragged, a battered and torn grey blouse and a dull brown shirt, all made from rough cotton. Her light brown hair was not restrained in any way and was surprisingly well kept considering she had been living on the road for nearly a month.

Her gut gave another twist. Katrina stopped and sat down on a rock, putting down a rusty kitchen knife she had and held herself. Why did she crave blood? Why was it the only thing she wanted and why not matter how much she drunk did she never seem satisfied? What was she? That is the question that burned in her mind. Katrina knew she wasn’t human, she wasn’t anything…her father had screamed ‘Demon’ when she ran from the cross at the village church. She wasn’t a demon, she was a person, she was kind to people. But, her memories and thoughts were erased by the craving to fill her stomach with blood.

Grabbing her knife again, Katrina moved through the woods towards the village. Just one more cow, then she would leave. But as she neared the kraal she felt a sudden burning in her heart as the moonlight illuminated the crosses before her. She closed her eyes and turned away, yet still feeling the heat from them. She stumbled back into the forest, away from the burning. When it was gone, she opened her eyes and looked around. The twisting continued, yet there were no animals around for her to have.

Licking her lips, Katrina slowly made her way down to the road and placed the knife in her pocket. She hoped she could find a run-away horse or something to quench the thirst.

He'd been walking for hours down a path surrounded by nature's beauty. There was suppose to be a small, poor town somewhere in the vicinity and he was hoping to request shelter for the night. While he quite liked to spend large amounts of time amongst the natural world, there were times when he wished to talk with people.

Taking a seat beside a massive oak with sweeping branches and what looked like any number of animals living within, he paused to tighten the straps on his sandles. As he tied the second set of straps, he saw a stone bounce down the hill. Looking up, Raphael saw a young lady.

He stood, flipping the hood of his woolen grey cloak up, he picked up a staff. The hooded cloak was not to keep of the rain as he actually liked basking in a downpour, but to mask some of his physical features, the ears, wings and tail. He couldn't do much about his eyes, teeth, hands or feet but he could usually get away with them. Humans in this land had an annoying tendency to try to get him tied to a stake so they could burn him, after giving him a shower and lecture.

From a distance of some few meters, he spoke. "Hello there, my name is Raphael. Might I request a chance to walk with you?"

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Malthazius stood over the forge, hands moving rapidly. From within a fire he would remove a very small ring, lay it in with others, and then welded it shut by hammering it into an unbroken circle. As he placed the last ring into place, he took the tongs, lifted the steel object that flowed like liquid, and submerged it in water for the last time.

"Here," said Malthazius, presenting the shirt of mail to the master of the forge. "This is the second shirt of mail created with the speed and strength of the living fire as I promised. My debt to you for the garments which I wear is now paid. I leave in the morning."

The master smith looked over the chain mail. It was as Malthazius said, composed entirely of interlocking, welded rings. Very few people in the world had the speed or strength to do it, but Malzathius stood before him, not even sweating. "Who did this for you?" asked the smith. "You aren't sweating, and thus I know that it couldn't have been you."

Malthazius was sick of this. Grabbing a log with one end ignited, he held it to his right palm. The flames moved over the palm, and when Malthazius pulled the log away, the flames remained, only to blink out five seconds later. "Fire is my friend, and my body has both its speed and its strength. That is labor of these very hands. Good day." And with that, Malthazius turned his heel and left.

As Malthazius walked, he reflected on the last four months that he had spent at the forge. The master smith himself had just finished a mail of welded rings, an effort that few could accomplish. Malthazius approached him, and told him of the garments that he required. Tough, flexible, and above all, fire-proof. The master smith had agreed, but asked for a hefty sum. Malthazius, too poor to afford the money, offered his servies instead. The clothes would be useless to any but Malthazius, so he would create something of value for the smith, namely, a chainmail liner that would fit under the plate armor that was slowly going out of style. The master of the forge refused, saying it was barely one half of the cost to make, so Malthazius offered to make two. The smith then asked Malthazius if he intended to spend a year at the forge. "If that is what it takes, but you'll find that fire can be a very interesting force." It took two months apiece, but he had forged the two shirts of mail, and his debt was paid. Fire truely was a very interesting force.

Kill your wife. Kill her. She has been a thorn in your side for too long. She devours valuable food. She is a fiend. It would be a sin not to kill her.

All theses thoughts Shurglesk-diabhall put into the man's mind. It had taken 3 years, but the devout man had finally been turned into a killer. It allowed itself a cackle as the man went into his house to do the murderous deed and damn himself.

Oh, I do so love people like him. Their manipulation is so delightful. But now, what to do. I could bathe in the violence of battle, or I could cause some more delightful paranoia in this nice little village.

And so the demon waited until night to begin its deed of slashing doors, rotting wood, destroying crops and killing animals.

Oh, the outcome will be so delightful.

A lone man walked in the night streets of Northern France. He was looking for a goal, a woman to slay who is no longer alive but now lives by unnatural means. He looked for who would be the only walking thing in the streets, he knew that she would find the one he was hired to slay.

For the past three years it was like this. Sigmund Krieger was a mercenary who slew every vampire he met even if he wasn't paid to do so. He made a living off of this since many towns in Europe, especially in France, Germany and England, had an abundance of vampires many people didn't know of. It took a while for people to realize if vampires were in their town, but when Sigmund arrived, he was their savior and was greated with hospitality in some villages.

Sigmund wasn't always destined to this life though. He was once the son of a royal family, the Duchy in Bavaria. But five years ago, his father was slain by a vampire who appeared so harmless and pure that he would have been like a priest. Sigmund slew him for the murder of his mother, father, royal subjects and his older sister, but because they were all dead, the Holy Roman Emperor presumed the royal family of Bavaria dead and replaced his family with another family. He knew that to slay a vampire, he should drive a wooden steak through its heart, and it was the only method he knew of at the time and knew now. Since that fateful day, he never trusted any man or woman, man or vampire, that he ever met. He was onced destined to become a duke, possibly even elected emperor, but this was his life now and didn't see it changing anytime soon.

He saw a cloaked woman walking up to him and she asked him, "Bonjour là-bas monsieur. Cherchez-vous un bon temps avec quelqu'un comme moi ?". This one was naturally French spoke in the tongue, but Sigmund didn't need to know what she asked him. Not answering her, he walked up to her and thrust a hidden wooden steak into her heart. The woman then screamed very loud and spat blood out of her mouth, indeed indicating she was a vampire. He left the steak in her and left feeling unremorseful of the woman's fate, it really only felt like stabing a corpse.

That morning

Sigmund recieved his pay from the French mayor, a total of 175 francs. With it, he bought some more steaks and decided to stay in the town for a few days.

Count Vladimir Thanatos sat patiently in his luxiorious mansion, reading his book in his plush chair. In front of him a small fire cackled and spat in the fireplace.

Suddenly, the clock chimed. Ten o'clock. Feasting time...

Vladimir calmly placed his book down as his hunger with the time. Slowly, he got out of his luxorious chair and stretched.

"Sir, It is Ten o'clock," someone said down the nearby hall. One of Vladimir's servants.

"I know, Arcen," Vladimir calmly said, turning around to face his butler. "Prepare my carrage. My appetite is growing."

"It will be done," Arcen the butler replied, walking out from the doorway to ready his master's ride.

Vladimir was a rather wealthy man. He had gained his wealth from several legal businesses, as well as some shadey ones. Yet, he always gave the outward appearance of a kind man, donating a sum of his money to charities.

The count was rather handsome as well, black hair, hazel eyes, and tall. His body was midly muscular, but not so much as some hulkish brutes he has seen lumbering about. He always wore beautiful clothing, always saying "You never know when you will need to wear it."

Yet, the count was not all wealth and kindness. He was an accomplished dueler, efficient in killing people with the modern pistol, or a good old fashioned duel with rapiers. Yet, his favorite way to kill had to be to suck the hapless victim dry, replentishing the Count's energy and life.

Vladimir dressed himself with a dark red vest over a black cape. His sleeves had frills along the hand opening, and he tied a bow tie around his neck. Literally topping it off, he put on his top hat and walked out into the darkness. As he passed a small container of umbrellas or canes, he absent-mindedly picked out a beautiful hard metal cane as he walked out.

"Ahh...I can already smell the blood of the night," he said aloud to no one in particular. His carriage pulled up in front and Count Thanatos walked in, to be taken into the town.

After about ten minutes, the carriage stopped in front of a homeless beggar, shuffling about for money. The beggar looked hopeful as the door opened and the Count came out.

" 'Ey....You're that kind Count...err...Thanzos?" he asked, smiling, revealing terrible hygeine.

"Count Thanatos, my good friend," Vladimir corrected as he brushed off the beggar. Filthy rubbish...I hope something better comes along... he though angrily as he looked over the dirty street person.

"Have you come to help...an old beggar like me?" he finally asked.

"Yes, actually. I've come to end your worthless life to better mine," the count replied, revealing his vampiric fangs. As the beggar breathed in air to let out a scream, Vladimir sank his fangs in the thin beggars neck, sucking out the man's blood for a minute or so. All that the beggar was able to do was gasp as his life drained out of him.

As soon as Vladimir was done, he frowned as he hoisted the beggar on his shoulder and carried him to a dark alley, where someone may think he passed peacefully in the night.

"Arcen, stay with the carriage. I'm going to hunt around the area for a bit," Vladimir said quietly as he came back towards his carriage.

"As you wish, master," Arcen replied.

Katrina looked up as she heard someone speak. The rain had made her hair cling to her body. Her reaction to this man named Raphael was instant. She turned and bolted from the road down into the wood, stumbling and losing her knife as she ran. She remembered the last time she had met other people, they had tried to kill her even while she was screaming that she was still the person they knew. For all she knew this man was a robber and he would try to take her three small gold coins she had with her, along with her life and virginity.

Katrina turned her head back only for a second to see the figure still up on the road before turning back and continued to run deeper into the forest.

Vladimir had walked around the town, time passing with little food. He did pass by several prostitutes who thought of hitting it big with the rich count, only to find the end of their lives in his hands.

Yet he was not satisfied. He had put aside his hunger for too long. He would have to find more blood, hopefully without resorting to breaking into one's house or sucking the blood of livestock...

With Vladimir's incredible hearing, he heard something running through the forest...

Fresh meat... he thought as he licked his slightly bloodied lips. He practically glided down the road as his cape flowed around him. He past a shadow, before turning into a rather large bat, and taking off for the forest.


He search around, high in the air, before coming along a girl running about. Rather healthy looking... He thought with a smile. He flew ahead of her, and landed where he expected to the girl to run to next. He reformed into his human form before she would see him and waited patiently.

Rafael was about to curse when two things triggered, she seemed scared and she dropped her knife. Quickly, but he wasn't sure if it was quick enought, he called out, "I don't mean to hurt you."

He then walked forward and picked up the knife. Holding it by the blade he waited to see if she heard, and was willing to trust he meant what he said. If she didn't, he'd have to see if he could track her with her blade. Unfortunately the laws of contagion would only be really effective if she'd had the knife for a long time, or it was precious to her.

Katrina's acute hearing picked up the man saying something, but she didn't bother stopping to figure out what is was. As she ran, she padded herself down, no knife to defend herself with. The slightly blood stained piece of metal was back there and she wasn't going to go look for it.

Clambering up some rocks on a hillside, she had just about cleared the top when she saw a man dressed in fancy clothes. Her father had told her that a man in fancy clothes was a nobleman and took joy in watching the suffering of the commoner. Noblemen were to be avoided at all cost, but from what her father said they never strayed far from castles, towns, or roads without a group of knights with them.

Katrina stared at the man, she had to stop and think and come up with an excuse. For all she knew this was his land. Shivering violently from fear of him and the man back at the road, she was about to finish the climb when she slipped on the wet rock and fell back down the rise and landed in a pile of leaves.

Her vision was hazy as she slowly began to stand. Her jaw working to clear her ears, her fangs visible in the faint light.

"Here let me help," Vladimir said kindly, walking over and helping to prop her up. "Are you alright-"

He noticed her fangs. A vampire! Here? He looked around to make sure no one else was around.

"Are you alright, Ma'am? You had quite a stumble..." Vladimir could not help but wonder where this vampire had come from. His master would be most interested, as Vladimir was himself.

Since the girl hadn't returned, Rafael guess she either hadn't heard, understood or was too scared of him. That left the mystical option. Still holding the knife by the blade, he began muttering. Soon the hilt began rocking back and forth before pointing in one general direction. It appeared that the connection was fairly weak.

Frowning, he headed off in the direction the law had pointed him, hoping he'd find the girl before she ran into someone who might try to rape her or otherwise hurt her, especial as it'd be his fault she was defenceless.

Boaz sat in his study pondering the whereabouts of Krastatros. Krastatros had disappeared a long time ago. Boaz was left to run the vampire world with confrontation. He had heard many rumors running around about Krastatros. Krastatros was his only true rival, yet he was Boaz's only friend too. Boaz picked up his elegant blade and slashed it through the air. He said quietly to himself, "I will find you Krastatros. You will not take make my empire away from me." At this Boaz took up a silver goblet that was full of blood. He drank from it until he was content. He then went to see which female vampires lurked around his castle. He need to do something to pass the time.

I smell blood...and that vampire again

It had smelt the vampire while he was corrupting the man. Now his task complete, he could finally investigate the undead being.

Wait...another...how unusual...

Shurglesk began to run towards the two vampires, ceasing his previous noise it was using to scare away those awake.

The towns were busy that day. Sundays were usually like that. Leub's self-driven carriage rolled along the stone roads that connected each structure, each farm, and each village. Leub thought it especially annoying to close the curtains of the carriage every time he passed by every church and every cathedral. Children looked at him with odd stares at his stone white skin. He used to love children, when he was actually alive. Now, Leub knew to smile at anyone would scare them half to death, thanks to vampire folklore.

From cobblestone to dirt was always the case when traversing the familiar roads from the towns to the countryside. Trees flanked him on both sides after a few hours have passed. The night had come and the sky was bright. There was a full moon and the light of the stars shone bright high over the land.

As the moon came closer to midnight, the wolves started to howl and greet the arrival of the vampire. The horses of the carriage panicked every so often, and every so often, Leub had to quiet them down. The wolves' howls grew ever so louder and louder. He couldn't stand it anymore.
"Quiet down, you ignorant brutes!", shouted Leub into the eternal darkness. The howls quieted down to a point where a howl only erupted into the night every couple of minutes. Leub wanted to get to the mansion quickly and pressed on the horses. "Annoying, annoying, annoying..."

Leub had arrived to the mansion of the foreboding master he served. Krastatros was the only being he had ever submitted to other than his long deceased family of which he had little memories of anymore. He wish he had... Leub walked up to the door of the mansion. He took out a giant ring of keys that had barely any room to accommodate one more key. He proceeded to unlock the many keyholes, chains, and locks that adorned the doors. After five minutes of frustration, Leub quickly knocked on the door thrice and they swung open stopping at a position that seemed to welcome Leub into the house. Leub stepped in and the door shut close. It was a good thing it was easier to lock the door than to open it. Now he continued to ask himself the question he always asked himself... "I wonder if Krastatros is awake yet?"

Katrina felt the man's hands on her as he helped lift her up. Instantly, her eyes flashed to his, they were feared with terror. She didn't notice anything different about him, she had never met a vampire after turning, the word itself meant nothing to her. She stared at the man, shivering she bowed her head.

She had to say something, anything.

"I am sorry if I intruded on your land my Lord...but I was walking home from the villiage and I got frightened by a man on the road." Katrina didn't look up at him, she just kept staring at the ground. "Please sir...I just want to go home."

Rafael arrived after clawing, thought not literally, throught the woods. As he stumbled into the clearing, he noticed the girl and a man that she was thanking for his aid. Approaching, he failed to notice that his hood had fallen down, revealing his ears.

Holding the knife by it's blade he said, "Here is your knife back."

Oh goody, another one to join in the festivities. He smells of...a demon? This will be interesting... it thought as it perched in a shadowed alcove, waiting to see what it could do with the situation.

Boaz had found a young female vampire servant in one of the dungeons. He took her quickly and made her his. She screamed and cried until the whole castle was filled with the shrieking sounds of her voice. He bit into and drained her of all of her blood. He laid the beautiful vampire down. He thought to himself, She was a spunky one. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. He walked down to the boiler room where the incinerator was. He opened up the large heater and slung the carcus into the heat. The smell of burning flesh quickly filled the room. Boaz snarled and said, "Dirty slut." He then walked out of the room. He thought to himself, I wonder what is happening in town. He walked upstairs and grabbed a coat from his closet. He made his way to the front door. He then left and headed towards the city.

"Come now child, don't fear me. Hush now," he responded reasuredly, patting the girl on the back. "I'll take you home. My carriage is close-"

Vladimir felt the presence of a holy creature. Then it showed itself, rusty blade in hand.

"Demon!" he shouted. "Run to the carriage!"

Rafael sighed, "I didn't come to hurt anyone, just to return the lady her knife. She dropped it when I startled her." He commented

He was still holding the knife by it's blade, while holding the bo with his other.

Malthazius was trudging along, it being his preferred method of transportation. He could fly with ease, but the general public normally associated his flight patterns as signs of impending doom and falling stars. True, he did resemble the one or two falling stars he had seen in his lifetime, but people were so stupid. Kings died all the time, but they only really took note when it happened right after a star fell. It was then that Malthazius smelled it. Something wrong, evil, but weak. It was close, but Malthazius didn't feel that threatened. Probably something that he could deal with. Well, time to find out what the new suit was like.

Katrina stared at the Noble. His words were soft and kind, something that she didn't expect. Her eyes moved upwards and looked at him briefly before she heard the same voice from the road behind her and seconds later the Noble screaming demon. Katrina turned and pressed her back against a boulder as she stared at the man, fear once again in her eyes.

As she looked at him, he didn't seem to look like one. His ears seemed slightly deformed, maybe because of a sickness or an injury in war. Katrina's eyes turned down to the blade in his hands, it was her knife. She shook her head, her voice low and just audible.

"No...you...keep." Because of her age, she had not yet figured out talking and concealing her fangs but it was only the tips that showed.

Once Krastatros was completly ready. He sent a message to Vladmir telepathivlly. Vladmir. Return to the headquarters. Not your mansion. My headquarters. I wish to see you.


Erik looked at the outside of the small town. He squinted several people were approaching. It was then that he realized they were vampires. He couldn't fight them all at once. He backed up, and ran. He yelled "Vampires! Vampires are here! Who will help me fight?"

"You never truly know, until they try to kill you," Vladimir whispered to the girl. "Come, I will take you home. I don't want any other creature coming to get you..."

Sounds of birdsong dragged James Tyler back to the land of the conscious. Like nearly every night since that fateful one in the village, his dreams were haunted by large forms loping between dark trees and flashing fangs, slavering mouths and the screams of his friends in the night. However, last night had been a full moon…

These days, when it was a full moon, he wasn’t sure whether the dreams were really dreams…

Tyler shook his head to clear it of such morbid and frankly disturbing thoughts, and looked about his himself. He was in a small clearing, one that he had been using as a base of operations; although that was probably making it sound a lot grander than it really was, especially as those operations were robbing people just so that he could stay a live. To a well-brought up Christian lad as himself, the fact that he had to do such a thing made him feel revolted with himself. Nevertheless, Tyler knew he had to eat and drink, and banditry did give him a means of keeping himself alive that kept him away from people, people who would undoubtedly ask searching questions on his faith, which in these dark times would nearly always give the wrong answer.

He pulled on his heavy breastplate, on which, to his annoyance as a soldier, spots of rust were beginning to form. It couldn’t be avoided, however, living in this damp and cold forest. The sword, scabbard and belt were the next to go on. Drawing the blade, he tested its edge. He knew that it was blunt, which meant that it was more useful as a bludgeon than an edged weapon. Then he picked up his two most precious possessions at this time, a pair of wheel-lock pistols. He had taken these from his dying captain. Little good they had done him against the slavering beasts that had pursued the company from the village. Once again, James closed his eyes against the memories of that night

Still, the pistols were still in working order, but little shot or powder remained. Which was a shame, but the banditry that had been keeping him alive was slowly using up the last of his supplies of them. Tyler slid the two firearms into their holsters and stood up. He drained the last of the small beer he had, kicked over the remnants of last night’s fire and trudged off through the dead leaves and mud of the forest floor, aiming to get to the track which ran through it before mid morning. This would give him the best chance of ambushing some one with items of worth, preferably food and drink, maybe some powder and shot.

But hopefully not silver, coins or otherwise. That stuff hadn’t agreed with him since that night in the village.

"No, I can not." He replied shaking his head. "It is yours."

He again held out the knife, hilt first, to the girl. He then turned to look at the man, "Might I request a chance to travel with you to the nearest town?" He asked, hoping the noble would not freak out by being asked to give a ride to a demon.

Sigmund was called to Saxony by request of the Elector of Saxony himself to a mission there. He stated that there was a recent plague of strange cow slaughters that were recently taking place. Sigmund was told as though the cows had lost all of their blood as if it were sucked out of them. Sigmund doubted if this was the work of vampires, but the Elector was willing to pay him a great deal of money if he found out what was causing it. Sigmund then left France and began his journey to Saxony.

The road was quiet. The winde blew through the trees and the clouds moved lazily in the sky. The familiar trot of a horse can be heard. A brown horse is carrying a rider down the dirt road. Atop the steed sat a man of imposing will and strength. His piercing blue eyes looked towards the horizon. He cranned his neck back and his muscles tightened and relaxed. A crucifix hung from his neck. Dusk was approaching, the sun began to slowly retreat behind the hills 'It will be night soon' he thought. Luckily, a small village was just a few mile stones ahead. He rode into town to see the desperate townsfolk. An eery silence fell upon them as he entered.
"A hunter" one of them whispered. Their eyes fixed on him. 'They must know of me' he thought. A village elder approached and the horse stopped.
"Sir, what by chance is your name?" he asked.
"Alaric Falherst" he replied, his face stoic and voice commanding.
"Falherst?! The hunter?"
"The same"
"We need your help" the elder said "May I speak with you?"
"You already are" Alaric replied as he dismounted...

Katrina stared at the slightly deformed man. She kept his gaze for a while before he turned to the noble. When he did so she reached out quickly and got her knife and sticking in a pocket when she pulled back. She didn't speak, all she wanted to do was to get away from these men, even though the noble was kind to her. Though, as she thought more of it, the noble would probably try to rape her as payment for his kindness.

Katrina sat quietly, feeling her gut twist into a million knots. She wanted nothing more than to find some animal and drink their blood. She was getting hungier by the minute and could only think of what was the biggest creature she could catch to satisfy her thirst.

Alaric walked through the mud with a crowd all around him 'Something's happened to them' he thought. He was a man of few words and walked silently towards the tavern. Upon entering he took a seat. The elder began to speak.
"A great evil we fear is approaching. Animals have shown up dead, strange marks on their necks..." the elder ranted
"What kind of marks?" Alaric asked as he took a sip of wine. The sweet taste was a welcome relief.
"Bite marks, the blood is drained from them. We know not of the creature that does this"

Alaric said nothing and continued to drink. His muscles relaxed into the chair.

Sigmund arrived in Saxony and was greeted by several familiar faces. When his father took him here to meet the Elector, he made some friends when he was here. But that was in his childhood, now he was not to trust any man no matter how far back they went. He was taken to a house who still had a cow that was drained of its blood and went to see it. He couldn't imagine a vampire trying to drink the blood of a cow, but it seemed that it was accomplished by this one, if one was involved. It seemed likely though, two marks were on the cows jugular vein and had a few drops of blood leak out. It was definately the work of a vampire, only such a creature would be able take out the blood of this cow. He now knew that vampires were attacking, but now had to find where it was hiding and if there were more involved. To find out of anything, he went to the tavern to overhear information of strange sitings in the last few weeks.

The shadow moved out from the tree line, trying to come up behind Malthazius. "Pathetic. You would have been better off charging me, your abilities to sneak are the worst that I have ever seen. What were you in life, the worst pickpocket to grace the lands of Greater Germany?"

The vampire stopped, than tried to strike an imposing pose as a tall, glorious warrior of noble blood, an attempt at which he failed miserably. "Fear me, for I am a creature of the night, and I take my prey as I will. Your life is about to end, though I may decide to give you a taste of my great power and keep you as a ghoul. You have only to submit, and I may be merciful."

"Placebo Te!" came Malthazius's response, Latin for 'Fuck You.' Malthazius turned to face this offensive piece of filth. "The night holds no mysteries to me, for I walk it as I will, and it shies away from me, for my power is above it. Though, I may return the favor you think you will grant to me. Have you ever wondered what is is like to have fire flow about your arms? I have, and it is beyond your comprehension. Bring it on then, and see whether a creature of the night will vanquish the power of the ever burning sun."

The vampire, insulted beyond belief at such belittlement, attacked the man wearing threads of woven steel that stood before him. He managed five steps before a wall of flame rose before him. It died down, revealing Malthazius, gone. "Up here." The vampire turned, and shrank. Even though he had power to fly, he could not yet control it, and thus remained earthbound. This creature was as though he was standing, but his feet rested on nothing but fire. Suddenly, he ignited, and brought his hand up, telling this vile creature to attack him. The vampire leapt at him, only to sent spinning to the ground by a ferocious backhand. As he tried to get up, his hair was grabbed by a hand. Malthazius stood next to him, still aflame, except for his left forearm, which held the vampire in an iron grip. "You," said Malthzius, "are the most pathetic excuse for a vampire that I have ever seen. I have known old men stronger than you. Tell me, does the fire washing over you feel cool and refreshing to your skin?" Fire flashed forwards from Malthzius's elbow, enveloping his hand, and then the vampire, which fell into a huddled lump, screaming as he did. "Obviously didn't like it," said Malthazius to himself. He walked away from the burning corpse, the fire that surrounded him dying off quickly. The master smith had been true to his words. His clothing did indeed resist the fire, and was even hardy enough to function as high quality armor. As dawn rose, Malthazius found a deer, killed it with a well thrown, improvised spear, and roasted it for a hearty breakfast. He let the wolves have the remains.

Trying to find the wereabouts of vampire activity, Sigmund went to the bartenders counter and waited for some sign of vampires. It seemed as if the tavern were closing since no one was around. At a time like this, it would make the perfect place to murder someone and no one would be able to tell who killed who if they left at the right time. It seemed to be a normal tavern that he saw through many taverns, and saw the bartender who came up to him to greet Sigmund to the town, or so he thought. The bartender was a tall, but slightly overweight man who seemed quite pale in the face. He greeted Sigmund, "Hello there stranger. Can I get you anything?" Sigmund saw his face and recognized he sounded rather strange, as if he were hiding his identity.

He recogined accents such as these and answered, "I know your kind." The bartender seemed rather surprised at what he stated.

The bartender questioned, "What do you mean sir?"

Sigmund answered, "It's no wonder no one comes here, it seems the people are either lucky they don't, or they know about what lives in here."

The bartender further questioned, "Do you mean that to insult me sir?"

Sigmund slipped out a steak from his pocket, but the bartender could not see it underneath the counter. Sigmund answered, "It would sound like one wouldn't it?... Isn't that right vampire?"

The bartender seemed to let out his anger at that moment and answered, "Foolish mortal! You will regret you came across Harvan the Glutton!" The bartender then let out his fangs and jumped out from behind the counter. Sigmund was surprised to see such a fat man be able to jump so far, but was able to anticipate this by falling back and throwing the steak into the bartender but only into the stomach. The bartender got back on his feet and tried to grab Sigmund by the throat, but in the middle of it, Sigmund drew his sword and sliced off the vampires hand. It was rare Sigmund used his sword in combat, but now it helped him from getting taken by the vampire. Sigmund got out another steak and prepared to thrust it into his heart, but because of the blood flying out from the bartenders disemembered arm into Sigmund's eyes, Sigmund accidently stabed the bartender in his head. Sigmund then ducked to ensure his neck would not be bitten, and wiped the blood from his eyes and was able to see clearly again. The vampire was then running towards him and pounced on him like a tiger, pining Sigmund to the floor. Before the vampire could bite Sigmund though, Sigmund had another steak ready to stab into the heart and did so, killing the vampire. As usual, the vampire spat out the blood from his mouth before dying and spat it into Sigmunds face before Sigmund managed to force him off. He once again wiped the blood from his eyes and decided to take some of the dead vampires clothes in the other room so he could cover the fact that he slew a vampire who spat blood on him and also took his money so he could use it for his own use.

Vladimir looked at the strange man, scanning him from head to toe. He had originally mistaken the man for a priest, considering he was robed as one.

"Of course," he replied, flashing a kind smile. A fake one, but it was a well made disguise. "Forgive my outburst earlier, I had thought you as...a murderer with that knife and all."

"Come, both of you. As I came into the forest, I thought I heard something out of the ordinary."

Boaz walked into a bar. He thought to himself, There are a lot of kindred in here. None of them or as strong as I am however. I wonder if any of them Krastatros. I'll stay a while and find out what I know. He looked on as a lot commotion started inside of the pub.

Katrina slowly stood with help from the Noble and she muttered her thanks. She was very nervous traveling with him yet so far he gave no indication of foul play nor did he exhibit any signs of being anything more than a rich nobleman. Though all she wanted right now was get some blood in her system before she exploded.

Katrina kept her eyes cast to the ground as she heard it was to be done around nobles. "Lead the way my Lord."

Raphael smiled and offered the young lady an arm. "Might I ask your name?" He asked her, "And your's as well good sir."

He felt his ears get poked by a branch and hoped that when they got closer to the carriage, and it's lamps, the man would not freak out and attack.

Katrina stared at the man asking for her name. She felt herself unconsiously grasp at the noble as though she was afraid of the other man. She felt the expensive fabrics and quickly moved herself off of the noble and mumbled an apoligy. She was very uneasy around these men because she was afraid any second they would notice her skin was too pale or if she smiled her fangs would be visible. They would cry demon and try to kill her and either she had to kill them or run, but most likely run.

Katrina stared blankly back at the other man for sevearl minutes before giving the slightest shakes of her head, it was obvious by the look in her eyes she was still slightly edgy about him.

Raphael dipped his head. It appeared the lady at least was afeared of him. His heritage was again coming back to bite him. Physiologically he didn't belong on with people, socially he didn't belong with his parents. He was beginning to suffer pangs of 'homesickness' for the warring states, but even there he was treated differently.

With a faint shrug at the seeming immutability of his fate he paused then continued toward the carriage.

"Pardon me" said the grey haired man as he entered a tavern, "Excuse me". Sigh, why do people have no manners these days? I turn my back for one minute, and someone makes off with my robes. Oh, well hopefully it went to some one less fortunate. Though I do wish these people would be more charitable. Sin resonates from that hazel eyed youth. Who's that up ahead? Ah, another man of the clothe... wait a minute, that's my clothe. "Sir, I believe you have somethings of mine. I will not hold it against you, but I wish for their return, so..."

"No apology needed," Vladimir replied absent-mindedly as he walked out of the forest.

"I am Count Vladimir Thanatos. And who may you be, cloaked wanderer?" Vladimir asked, staring straight forward and marching along as if he knew exactly where he was going.

The rich count could see the road in the distance, leading into town. The lamps burned brightly through the dark night. Time was ticking, and time was usually not on Vladimir's side.

He quickened his pace slightly as he looked for signs of his carriage.

BANG!...BANG!

Shots rang out in the tavern, causing many to jump for cover. After the old man, Paul Carpenter, looked out he saw the so-called "man of the clothe", soaking in his blood after having his jaw blown off, while an other at his table had a hole throw his chest, though no blood exited it. "Very unfortunate", thought Carpenter, looking around the room... wait! "My Crosier!", he exclaimed, grabbing his crook.

"I am Raphael." He replied, "It's nice to meet you Vladimir."

Raphael was dreading the moment when the light showed his more pronounced unhuman features as he expected for them to freak out as many in the western lands had, an a Count would likely cause him more problems.

"The pleasure is all mine," Vladimir replied, reproducing his fake smile again. His gaze lingered on Raphael, before slowly moving towards Katrina.

Master would be eager to see me, especially if I bring this vampire with me. She seems rather new, as she shows signs of confusion. What better to help her get more acquianted with her peers? he thought as he stopped.

The town was relatively close and the nearest light fifty or so steps away. He wistled loudly and smiled as he heard the clip-clop of horse hooves approaching.

"Will this town do, Raphael?" Vladimir asked. Please say yes...I smell the stench of religion on you...

"Yes it will but, and I hope this isn't an imposition, might I request a room and bed?" He asked

He had two reasons for asking as it was occasionally nice to sleep indoors and he found that there was an air of wrongness about the man similar to that of a lord he'd met who was in to taking young girls into his bedchamber by force and he was worried about the mystery girl.

Vladimir had to restrain himself from staring at Raphael with a shocked or appalled look. The nerve! I best attempt to rid myself of him now, or he may never leave us alone...

"Of course, Raphael, I shall book a room at the nearest inn for you. I'll make it quite spacious. The streets are not a kind place to wander," Vladimir replied, a fake chuckle added to aid in his friendly demeanor.

"No, I guess they wouldn't." He replied, 'But, and again if this is an impostion, I understand, but would it be possible to stay at your manor?" He asked with a hopeful look.

"The reason I'd prefere a private residence, and one of a lord, is that many people, especially those that frequent inns and taverns take a rather violent exception to my appearence." He added as he gestured to his ears, with fingers that held an extra knuckle.

Nothing had passed Tyler during the day. Absolutely nothing. Which was a first in the few months Tyler had been using this part of the forest to line his stomach.
Maybe the bastards had cottoned on… he thought to himself. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to work out a decent plan of action. There was probably a village or town up ahead, as all of the traffic needed a destination. Tyler wasn’t particularly happy about doing it, as his grasp of German was too weak to counter any searching questions on the state of his clothing or the fact that he was fairly well armed and armoured. And if there were other soldiers in the village, Tyler knew he’d be well and truly buggered.

He stood in the shade of the tree line for about half an hour, weighing up the pro’s and con’s of paying a visit to civilisation again, no matter how fleeting. Tyler wanted to; he’d stayed so long without the comforts of a bed or even a wash or a shave. The money he’d looted from the many people he had held up over the past few weeks should go a long way to stopping any awkward questions, but if he ran into anyone he had done business with, not all the money in the world could shut them up.

The heavy pikeman’s armour would be difficult to hide, but Tyler didn’t want to dump his precious armour under some bush. He took off the cuirass and shoved it into a rough sack, along with his helmet. Having these hidden would stop questions on desertion… The pistols would also have to be hidden, but the sword could stay, as in these times more or less everyone kept a blade about themselves. He put the sack on his back, and left the relative safety of the tree line. Another problem on the way to the village or town could be meeting other bandits, but that was something that could only be tackled if it was encountered. Anyway, after several months of being a bandit himself, Tyler had learnt the to spot all of the signs, and the best hiding places.

And then there was the direction to take. Left or right? Not really sure what way to go, Tyler dug his hand into his money pouch, swearing loudly as his hand brushed against a silver coin. Finally, he dug out a copper coin, and flipped it to choose direction. Right it was, then.

Tyler shouldered the sack that contained all of the tools of his trade, and set out along the fairly muddy dirt track in the direction the random flip of a coin had dictated to him.

Katrina stared at the two men, so that was their names, Count Thanatos and Raphael. She still didn't speak and looked up when she saw the lights of the town up ahead and the sounds of horse hooves. As she watched the great beasts slowly come into view, she resisted every impulse in her body to pounce on one of them and eat it.

As it neared, Katrina turned away from it so that the lights on it would not show of her pale complextion.

Count Thanatos resisted the urge to give Raphael an appalled look at his request. Not to mention his looks.

"I'm afraid not, Raphael. I have many things going on in which I can't have guests running about in my estate," Thanatos replied slowly.

"I do hope you manage to stay safe. Keep your cloak tight and walk briskly to your room. If one doesn't linger to give someone an excuse, you should be fine."

The carriage pulled up to the three and Arcen, Thanatos' servant stepped down from the driver's seat and opened the door for the others.

"After you," Vladimir said as he motioned his open palm towards the comfortable carriage seats.

Finally arriving at the village after a very long walk down the dirt track, Tyler looked about the place. It appeared to be an ordinary village, if slightly back-water-ish. The walk itself had been entirely uneventful, which was a blessing. Tyler was feeling completely exhausted from the rough sleeping, as well as a lack of food.

He saw a tavern at the far end of the street, and Tyler realised he was definitely in need of a pint of beer, or really any sort of alcohol. Things usually looked better through the bottom of a pint mug. He more or less jogged the last few steps towards the inn, dreaming of a nice pint and probably a comfortable bed, the first time in months. Even if the bed was a straw-filled mattress, it would be infinitely better than either the groundsheets of a military camp or the dead leaves of his “base of operations” as a bandit.

As Tyler opened the door to enter, several shots rang out. Cursing drinkers and humanity in general for preventing him having a nice quiet drink, he dodged back out of the door way. Scrambling with his pack and pulling on the uncomfortable pikeman’s cuirass and helmet, he pushed open the door again, brandishing the brace of pistols.

He was damned if anyone was going to stop him having a drink.

"Ah, I finally have my staff back." muttered Paul Carpenter, getting back up. It was then that he noticed a bandit waving pistols. Carpenter removed one of his from the folds of his clothes, aiming at the likely culprit of the killing.

Sigmund inspected the vampires corpse and found a necklace with the satanic pentagram on it, he decided to take it because it seemed to be of some importance to the bartender. Sigmund left the tavern with his new clothes and everything else he had. He decided that he would have to wait until night before he could find out if that Harvan was a member of some vampiric coven. He went into an inn that had many more people in it then the tavern he recently came from. He paid the innkeeper and went up to the room he was arranged to stay in. He got out his sword and started to polish it so that no one would recognize he recently killed someone. All he could do now was wait for night fall...

Tyler realised it was a foolish idea to burst into a tavern full of people with all guns blazing from the start, especially as those guns only held a single shot each. As soon as he opened the door, he was looking down the barrel of a pistol, and the smoke from the last volley as well as the inn fire was obscuring vision with in the low beamed pub.

The pistolier aiming the gun at Tyler tripped as he fired it, sending a plume of smoke and flame jetting over the bandit’s shoulder. Tyler ducked back out of the tavern, cursing his own stupidity and rashness. There was a stinging sensation in his ear, and he replaced one of his pistols and put his hand to the left side of his head. He felt a sticky, warm sensation.

God damnit, the bugger hit me, he thought to himself, frowning. Soon bloody remedy that.

The wound itself was beginning to stop throbbing, but Tyler was fairly annoyed. Enraged, even. He lent against the wall, listening to the sounds of conflict emanating from inside, waiting until he thought the time was right for him to kick open the door. He wouldn’t let that idiot in the gown fire off another shot at him. Tyler dragged back the dog-heads on both guns, and lent against the door, preparing to burst back in.

"Great! I got my robes back. and all had to do was trip on a jaw, and get stuck in a bar fight!" said Paul Carpenter, more bitter in his life than he ever was "Cease!", boomed his voice, causing the meleers to, yes, cease. "This violence is doing nobody any good." he told the assembled people, "Empty your pistols, into the wall over there, so we can talk." Carpenter pointed his crosier at the area of the door, and the surrounding wall.

Katrina was not paying attention going on between the two men, she was captivated by the insides of the carriage when it was opened by the servant. She smiled as politely as she could, careful not to crack her lips and expose her fangs. The man was like her old family, servant to a man of noble blood and probably in some standing with the king. She climbed into the carriage, not noticing the bit of dirt she tracked in.

Katrina sat down on the other side of the carriage, at first her body seemed to ache as she sunk into the soft cushions. Never in her life had she sat in such comfort, it was an alien feeling to her. Her old straw matteress back in her home village, which was several days journey away, was the most comfort she had ever had; living in a cave or burying herself was not comfortable at all. But, now her body began to relax into it and she smiled a little.

Now she understood why noblity always had that soft, baby look to them compared to the hard, lived in look of the commoners.

"Thank you." Raphael replied as he waited for the girl to enter, before entering the carriage, angling his staff so it would fit confortably.

Night fell and Sigmund awoke to go out for the vampires. Sigmund went downstairs and found that there were many drunken men still drinking beer. Among them all, he noticed that one sober man was leaving to the front door. He tried appear normal as he started to follow the man. When Sigmund was outside, he saw the man walking towards the town limits and decided he must be one of the vampires. He walked for about an hour following the man, staying out of his sight to avoid suspicion. Finally, he saw the man walking into a graveyard and towards a tomb. Sigmund hid behind a grave to see how he was to get inside, and saw the man lift up the same satanic necklace that Harvan had in possession before the door and the tomb opened. When the man entered the tomb, the door closed and Sigmund waited for about twenty minutes before he went up to the door and lifted up the necklace to gain the same enterance the man before him did...

Boaz looked around. He recognized a lot of the hunters that were in here. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I don't want to bring to much attention to myself. Not now anyway. He stood up to leave.

"I'm sorry I cannot do more," Vladimir continued as he sat across from the two. He resisted temptation to study the girl, to make sure she truly was a vampire. I'll have time to do that once Raphael is gone, he thought, giving the two a kind smile.

As soon as the count walked in, the door closed gently and the carriage moved quickly. Time was running out.

Count Thanatos smiled as he noticed Katrina do the same. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked as he put his top hat on the open area next to him, revealing black hair combed towards the back.

"What brought you here, Raphael?" Vladimir asked as he propped his cane next to the door.

OOC- Yay, Crew is over! Now I can RP!

IC- Krastatros sensed that Boaz was alive and well. Boaz, you fool. Yous hould just give up. I will show you my true might. I have an army of beasts you can not even comtemplate. Or, you could join me. Whatever you wish. Then he focused his attention on Vladmir. Vladmir, come to me. I seek your counciling. For soon, the world will be ours. If you come quickly.

Master, please forgive my lack of haste. I have encountered a certain individual you may find very interesting. Yet, another individual presented himself and I am attempting to rid myself of him. He has the smell of religion on him, and I have agreed to give him a nights stay at an inn. I will immediately send myself to your estate when I have, master, Vladimir replied to his master as he awaited the answers of his two guests.

Boaz heard Krastatros' thoughts as he walked by. Old enemy I do believe that it is I who have upperhand. You have your beasts. But I . . . well you will find out eventually. As for joining you. Ha. Funny one. We will meet soon. Boaz walked down the street.

"Simply returning to see how home has changed since I was last here." He replied to Vladimir's question.

Malthazius walked much of the day. As dusk approached, he saw the signs for the nearest town, and deciding that he would rather not spend another night outdoors, made his way to it. The sun was setting as Malthazius entered the town. He asked two of the local men for the inn, and was pointed in the proper direction. He stopped at the blacksmith's shop to see if there was anything of interest that he would be able to buy or labor for, but nothing caught his eye, so he left. The town had a meeting square that didn't hold much interest, so finally, Malthazius decided to head for the tavern. It doubled as an inn, so Malthazius decided to book adecent room, giving the name of Michael O'Flaherty, his grandfather's name. As he ordered a pint of the imported whiskey from his mother's homeland, he decided to listen to what the local men were talking about. the sun had set, and the farmers and laborers were coming in to socialize and drink. His mug emptied twice and was refilled twice, and he slowly sipped it as he listened to the chatter of many men. Nothing of interest was heard, until one man began to speak to his buddies at a table behind Maltahzius.

"So I was out hunting deer last night when I saw one of the strangest sights. A flash of light, in a nice straight line, illuminated the area about ten miles ahead of me. During that flash, a man flew up, then stopped, levitating on what appeared to be discs of fire that surrounded his feet. Suddenly, this man ignited, completely covered in fire. A shadow leapt at him from the ground, only to be sent back after a series of blows from this flaming figure. Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't scared, but this man was something else. I was too far away to be noticin anything, but then I saw him descend, before a fire started right where I saw him land. It took me a good hour, but then I came to the spot on the road, and there was this guy, burning up like a dry log, and dead as corpse, which puzzled me, 'cause when this flaming man descended from the heavens, he didn't look like he was about to die, but the body was there, right in front of me."

so somebody had noticed Malthazius's little diversion. Still, he hadn't been close enough to be recognized, so that was in his favor. His mind wandered back to the wenches when she entered. Even though she was tall and wore a loose cloak with a hood, Malthazius could tell it was a woman, from the way the folds of cloth hung down from the bust line to the feminine shape of the hips, to the manner in which she walked. That too was intereting, for she walked as a noble woman used to the taste of power.

"Has it changed much?" Vladimir asked Raphael again.

The count shifted uncomfortably on his seat as he desired his 'wine'. Actually, it was his own vintage of bottled blood. Originally for emergencies, however the vampire had so many bottles, he would uncork it occasionally and sip the delicious liquid inside. Plus, daylight would engulf the land soon, so more people were awakening.

"Quite a bit. For one the roads were in much better condition." He replied, "And there are now far more towns and villages than I remember."

Katrina nodded and spoke once again in a quiet voice. "It is a very nice carriage my Lord."

She stared out the window, she didn't know what time the sun would rise, she always judged it when the sky began to lighten and it was always a hit or a miss. Once she was nearly killed due to being distracted with finally being able to enjoy a stag she had finally brought down. The memory sent another urge to feed in her body, she had to find blood.

Katrina turned and looked at the Count, she didn't know about him and didn't know if he was inwardly angry at her for not introducing herself. Once again, she spoke quietly. "I am sorry I have not introduced myself earlier my Lord...I am Katrina....my village is several days north of here."

Sigmund saw a dark stairway leading down beneath the earth. It was no tomb, it was a hideout. Sigmund tiptoed down the stairway and saw a room with several torches lit and a meeting of many men and women in front of a giant statue following who appeared to be the leader of them. The man in front of the stute shouted, "Brothers! Sisters! Vampires of all kind! Now is the time for us to gather our forces and strike at the weakening human race! As we now speak, our lord Krastatros has been revived and will soon lead us to glory!"

The men and women behind the leader responded, "Hail Krastatros! Glory to Vampiredom!"

The leader continued, "Now my fellow vampires, we are to gather our strength together and begin our strike on humanity, and we will soon begin a new age of vampire glory!" The leader then shouted at the ceiling and exposed his fangs. He continued saying, "Now, bring forth the sacrifice!" Sigmund looked behind the vampire crowd seeing a young boy being carried by a vampire while the crowd began to chant a vampiric hymn. The boy appeared as if he were asleep, but Sigmund had a steak ready to throw at the lead vampire who looked as if he was about to sink his teeth into the boy. Before the vampire began to sink his teeth into the boy, Sigmund threw a steak into the heart of a nearby vampire. The crowd turned and noticed Sigmund at the bottom of the steps.

A vampire from the crowd shouted, "That is him! He is the one who killed Lord Harvan! Only he could use the steaks with such skill!"

The leader vampire spoke to Sigmund, "Mortal! You have had skill to find our lair and slay Harvan! But tonight, you have slain your last vampire!"

Sigmund responded, "You think so huh? Well I'll just let my steaks answer to that." he then threw another steak into the heart of the leading vampire. The leader vampire dropped the boy and screamed in pain and spat blood out from his mouth onto the vampire crowd. The crowd stared at him in anger and Sigmund said, "Guess not then." He then got out his steaks and got ready to kill more vampires. The vampires seemed to ignore the boy and were focused and Sigmund and prepared to kill him. The first vampire who tried to jump on him was the third vampire he killed today. Soon other vampires gathered around him and Sigmund threw two other steaks into the hearts of other vampires. Sigmund back flipped to the front of the staircase enterance to ensure none would escape and threw several more steaks at the vampire crowd killing three more. Sigmund estimated that about thirty five vampires were left to kill. He delt with such groups of vampires before, just not in such large numbers. He drew his sword, knowing it wouldn't kill the vampires, but would slice off their body parts to keep the vampires away from the boy. He slashed his sword and sliced off the head of one vampire and swirled slicing off body parts from legs to other heads. Sigmund grabbed the boy and threw him into the air. He then started to slice off the heads of more vampires and got out a steak to kill another one. Before the boy hit the ground, Sigmund grabbed the boy and sliced the left arm off of a vampire with his sword and threw the boy ontop of the base of the statue. Sigmund then threw more steaks at the vampires from the spot he was at and was down to four more vampires after several hours of dodging vampire bites and recieving some scratches by their hands. Sigmund threw out two more steaks and killed another vampire whille the other dodged it. Sigmund got out his sword and sliced off the head of the vampire who tried to bite him and hurried back to the boy to keep the vampires away from him and used another steak to kill the vampire nearest to the boy. Sigmund then used his sword to slice off the head of the last vampire and was finally done with the killing. He saw the boy was still asleep and well and took him up from the base of the statue and carried him out of the tomb. When he came out, he noticed that the sun was coming up and would be able to find the boys family as soon as he went back to town.

"A pleasure to know you, Katrina," Vladimir nodded. "I am overjoyed that you enjoy my carrage. It was quite expensive."

"Do not worry, I will bring you back to your village once we bring this kind man to the inn," he said with a reassuring smile. I doubt they would even take her back. She'll be thanking me once I bring her to my master...

"The roads could be better, I suppose," mused the count as he rubbed his chin.

"As for the towns and villages...well, we humans have learned to populate and expand since the dawn of time," Vladimir chuckled quietly as they approached the inn.

"This is your stop, Raphael. It has been a pleasure to meet you. I wish you the best of luck in the inn. Remember, do not loiter in the bar. Once you have a room, go to it," Vladimir said as he tossed a small bag of money at the deformed man.

"Thank you for the ride and money." Raphael replied as he turned to Katrina. "I apologise for startling you in the forest, and I hope you're safe and content."

He then got out of the carriage, after manuvering his bo out. He nodded to both, lifted his hood and headed into the inn to seek out the keep of the tavern.

Arcen closed the door and returned to his seat, guiding the carriage away.

Vladimir could finally speak with Katrina alone. "Tell me, what brought you so far away from home?" he asked, watching her mouth, hoping that his speculations were correct.

Karasu had been riding in a carriage all day and decided it was time to find a place to stay.

There was an inn right on the main road, with a tavern, which appealed to her. She hoped some kindred would be there. Karasu liked to have people to chat with, but did not trust humans much.

She got out of the carriage, gracefully despite the plethora of metal on her belt, and walked into the inn/tavern.

Interesting... nice ambiance. Karasu approached the inn keeper and asked for the best room he had available for the night. After booking her room, she walked up to the bartender, secretly examining the people around her.

"What will you have madame?"

"I would like a glass of your best shiraz." Karasu replied. After receiving her drink, she looked around and found an empty booth, strode over to it, and sat down. She removed her hood to show black hair and black eyes. An attractive woman she was. She sipped her shiraz as she looked around the place.

Hmhmhm... Boaz, you have no idea. I have been growing stronger over the years, while you rot. Now, should I give you a display of my power? A demon, perhaps? Krastatros thought about all the demons he controlled. Then a beast came to mind. A once holy demon known as Holy Diver. However, it had recently fallen under his control. He sent it a message. "Arise"



In the ocean a few miles away from the town, something awakened. A massive demon began to swim to the surface. It was huge, a literal behemoth. Finally, it reached the shore. Then, it began to walk towards the town. It eventually reached it, and began to wreak havoc. Erik saw it. He could not defeat it. He ran.

Well, Boaz, do you see what you must contend with? Krastatros waited for a response.

OOC- Here's what the demon looks like.http://truemetal.org/metalwallpaper/images/holydiver.jpg
Also, if someone can guess what the title of this thread comes from, you'll be cool.

The demon had followed the carriage, its ears listening and its tongue tasting the emotions of those inside.

There's something about that noble vampire. He's up to something. If only he was among the living...oh well, he'll slip up again, just like in the carriage. Now I need merely wait for sunrise...and the effects of my...mischief.

Katrina smiled a little at Vladimir, the tips of her fangs slightly visible. She would have to lie to him, telling him she was a creature who needed blood probably wasn't the best of things. "My town was attacked by bandits my Lord. I was out in the fields tending to the sheep when the attack came in the afternoon. I fled of course and came back the next day, the town burned and my family dead."

She looked at him, her mouth slightly ajar, giving him a better look at her teeth. Katrina shook her head. "Well, I got on the road and began to walk...to where...I don't know...just walk I guess my Lord. What else would you like to know of me?"

Vladimir smiled as she showed him her fangs. He closed the shades on the windows to prevent any sign of the sun.

"It's a sad story," he said, immediately dropping the smile, attempting to act sorrowful. "Perhaps you would like something to...drink while I try to think of something else to ask you?"

He opened a small compartment in between his his seat and the seat next to him, pulling out a red champaigne bottle and two wine glasses. He carefully uncorked the bottle and sniffed it.

"Ah...this is one of my best vintage," he said as he closed his eyes, admiring the beverage of blood. He poured Katrina a glass and carefully handed it to her, watching for her reaction.

Krastatros decided to warn Vladmir of Holy Diver's approach. Vladmir, I warn you. The demon Holy Diver is approaching the town. Hopefully it passes your mansion. I am just warning you. If it does, merely contact me and I will stop it.

Katrina's nose instantly picked it up, the smell of fresh blood. The substance she had been craving for much of the night was there before her in the hands of the Count. Her eyes were firmly fixed on the glass, her breathing labored, her mouth slightly ajar and her gut twisting over and over as the crimson liquid was poured into a glass an offered to her.

Slowly, her mind was piecing things together and drawing conclusions. Unless the Count had a strange thing for blood or oblivious to the fact it was blood and not some strange wine or...this put a small faint glimmer of hope into her eyes, he was like her. Katrina took the glass and quickly drained it in a few gulps, not bothering to savor it as her hunger came first. It was also she noticed that unlike where with a cow she could drain the whole thing and the hunger pains remaining, it was all gone. The thirst, the hunger...all gone.

Katrina stared at Vladimir, blood on her lips and teeth. She stared at him as she licked it off. She was in too much shock to speak, she only stared at Vladimir in wonder.

Many thanks, kind master, Vladimir sent back to Krastatros. He knew that if a monster was sighted, he would somehow be notified by Arcen. But he hoped that the demon would not trash his mansion, as Vladimir was quite fond of his large estate. He funded many Vampiric excursions from there.

Speaking of the mansion... he thought to himself as he scanned Katrina's dirty clothes. Perhaps we can make a quick stop to get her cleaned up for Master Krastatros...

Master, Vladimir sent again to his master. I would like to ask if you would allow me to drop by my mansion very quickly, in order to make my surprise to you more...enjoyable? I promise it would not take more than a day from my journey.

Sigmund saw the boy wake up when he reached one of the farms. He found that the family had lost their son two days ago and were overjoyed to find him back in their home. He was given four days supplies of food, some thick sticks for making more steaks, and a new pair of clothes to replace his blood drenched ones. He slew fourty-four vampires in this town alone. Sigmund never saw such a rise in the number of vampires. He knew it wasn't anything he couldn't handle though. What was on his mind though, were several questions: Did he kill the vampires that were drinking the blood of the cows? What was causing the rise in vampires? Were there possibly more vampires around? And who was this Krastatros that those vampires were talking about? Whatever the answer, Sigmund decided he couldn't get these answers just staying in this town. He figured that since he hadn't seen as many vampires as he did in France or England, he might as well stay in Saxony and move on to the next town so he didn't have as much of a commotion about him. When he got there though, he saw a priest in the middle of the town square. Sigmund was curious what this priest was doing here and decided to listen to him. When he got there, he heard, "... And now the time of judgement is at hand! Satan is coming to this earth everyone! Even now, he has sent one of his servants to destroy one of the villages at the coast of Germany!" The crowd was in a great deal of concern. It was normal of a priest to go about stating the end of the world was at hand, but when a demon was working in the mortal realm, that was something to pay attention to.

Sigmund asked the priest, "How do you know this exactly?"

The priest answered, "My son, have you not heard of the recent news? A giant demon rose from the sea weilding a mighty chain came and destroyed one of the villages nearby here. And that is surly a sign that Satan is breaking from his chains in Hell and coming to us! We must prepare everyone! We must be purged of our sins!" When Sigmund heard this, that had to be it. The priest appeared as if he were Catholic, and it always seemed that they wanted to get the people to repent for pretty much everything that was happening. But if what he said about a demon coming up from the sea was true, then Sigmund decided he would have to do some preparation himself. He left the priest and went to one of the taverns to wait for something to happen.....

"Slow down, young Katrina," Vladimir chuckled as she gulped the glass down greedily. He took his own glass and took a small sip of it. "Magnificent..."

"Katrina, somehow I get the feeling you're story is...false," he continued as he smiled wide, revealing his own fangs.

Raphael, after leaving the carriage, quickly sought out the innkeeper and with the money of Vladimir book himself a room for the night. Taking the man's advice, he likewise quickly retired to his room, but not before catching the general overtone of paranoia and witch-huntyness.

Katrina was frozen into the seat. Sitting before her in Noble clothing was one of her kind, a person with fangs who craved blood. Hope glimmered in her eyes, he was like her, he was kind, he wasn't like the one who made her like this...maybe Vladimir would be her guide to understand what exactly she was.

Her jaw worked as though she was speaking though no words left her lips. She composed herself and gave a smile to him. "My story is false my Lord. Though my town lies a few days away, how I got here is a lie. One night while tending to some animals I was abducted by a man...he took me somewhere and there he..."

Katrina's eyes watered, a single tear rolled down her pale cheek. "He raped me...he held me for several days before doing something to me...making me like you are. I managed to find my way home after he abandoned me...my father took me to the Priest to be blessed but the cross...the cross. My father cried out 'My daughter has become an imp of the Devil! A demon to infect our land!' I ran...grabbing my knife from behind a home. I have...been drinking blood of any animal I have come across."

She looked at him, remembering he was a Noble and probably had serfs. "I swear my Lord I tried not to rob villagers of their cows...but sometimes there was no other choice. It has been about a month since I have become...what you are sir."

Katrina looked at him. "That is the whole truth my Lord."

Vladimir wiped away her tear with his hand. "Do not worry, Katrina. You are with friends now. I do not condone the actions performed by your assailant, however I will say that this new...gift to you, is more than anything you can imagine," he replied softly.

"Being what you are, a vampire, gives you unique abilities. You become faster, stronger...more powerful," he began as he took another sip of blood. "Some vampires have more skills as well."

"Young Katrina, you have only begun an expierience that will last until the end of time. With a little practice, you can become quite a powerful vampire," He said with a smile.

"Would you like some more blood?" he ask as he lifted the red bottle.

Katrina stared and listened to Vladimir, she was now slowly feeling safe with him. Another 'vampire' was the word he used. So that is what I am...a vampire. She thought about what he had said, that was until she was offered more blood.

"Yes my Lord." She said holding out her glass. "What do you mean by 'the end of time'?"

“You are ageless, Katrina,” Vladimir replied as he poured her more blood. “Would you believe that I am several hundred years old?

"Blood keeps us immortal, keeps us healthy and strong. There are, however, a few things that can weaken or kill us. Holy symbols. That's why I was slightly nervous of that strange man called Raphael. I could vaguely detect he was a holy man. There's also a stake through the heart, sunlight, hence my dark carriage, and several other things," he continued, looking into the blood.

"It's easy enough to avoid those, however, so you needn't worry. Especially with someone such as myself helping you along the way," Vladimir added, giving Katrina a little smirk, again showing his fangs.

Ageless, forever young, something Katrina would have never thought. She thanked him for the second glass of blood, but this time only started off with a sip, deciding to savor the sweet flavor she had never really tasted before. With weaknesses, she had already discovered the cross and sunlight, but a stake through the heart was new to her.

At the mention of him helping her, hope shined in her face. She smiled and gave a bow of her head. "Thank you my Lord. May I ask where we are going?"

"We are going to my mansion, of course," chuckled Vladimir as he poured himself a little more of the red liquid. "I suspect that we should looked good for our master."

I wonder how Krastatros will react to Katrina...I know he will be pleased with my new find, however...I do not want him to take her from me, Vladimir thought greedily as he stared at Katrina.

The rich count had served his master faithfully for most of his life. But now, Vladimir was tired of being second rate. He desired to be first, to rule the vampire underworld. Taking Katrina under his wing and teaching her what he knew would be a step forward in this endeavor. Not to mention his growing fondness for the poor child.

"Yes, even I have a master," he said quietly. "He is kind and you have nothing to worry about as long as you stay close to me."

Hmhmhm... Boaz, you have no idea. I have been growing stronger over the years, while you rot. Now, should I give you a display of my power? A demon, perhaps? Krastatros thought about all the demons he controlled. Then a beast came to mind. A once holy demon known as Holy Diver. However, it had recently fallen under his control. He sent it a message. "Arise"



In the ocean a few miles away from the town, something awakened. A massive demon began to swim to the surface. It was huge, a literal behemoth. Finally, it reached the shore. Then, it began to walk towards the town. It eventually reached it, and began to wreak havoc. Erik saw it. He could not defeat it. He ran.

Well, Boaz, do you see what you must contend with? Krastatros waited for a response.



Boaz looked up as the Holy Diver walked into the city. He thought to himself, Are you serious? Is this really all that you got. Boaz pulled out an ancient book. He scanned until he came to the name Hephes. He was pretty much the exact opposite of the Holy Diver. Boaz spoke three words. "Arise, Hephes. Go." In a matter of seconds in the plains outside of the city the demon of fire and lightning arose out of the ground. He then sent a message to Krastatros, Can your diver beat Hephes. I think not. Hephes then launched a huge blast of fire at the water demon.

As Raphael rested, a sleep quite unlike the near comatose state, nor the endreamed state of humans, a mob was brewing in the tavern below.

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

"I've heard there are rumours of some monster killing the cows of that town to the south." One of the semi-inebriated patrons muttered to his table mates, farmers all.
"Ya, I know a guy who saw the butchered cows. Whatever did it weren't natural." Another agreed
"I say we get a few others and hunt the beasty down and kill it before it comes after our cows."
"Ya, that's what we got to do, get it before it can get us. I even heard that it attacked and killed a girl."
"Ya, I heard that too."
The men continued in this vein for a while, swilling ale and getting more psyked up for going monster hunting.

Soon one of the mention the tall, cloaked visitor.
"Why'd he be covered, it ain't cold nor raining."
"Maybe it's the monster that's killing cows and children."
"Ya, that has to be it."

The mob, given a target and sufficiantly full of bravado and ale began grabbing knives and other nearby 'mob' weapons as they began tromping up to Raphael's room. Even in a mob state, they had some manners and began hammering on the door.

Raphael woke, and could smell the reek of ale and hear the sound of many people outside his room. Not knowing what he was being blamed for, but sure that they hadn't all come to wish him a good night, he picked up his staff and headed for the window. Throwing open the shutters, he exited the room. Quickly orienting himself, he began near-running at a rate that was somewhat faster than that of the carriage in the direction he'd seen it last headed. A few minutes later, the mob bashed in the door and saw the window open and began streaming into the street.

Katrina listened to Vladimir. She was excited about going to his mansion, never before had she even been within sight of a building larger than the church. At the mention of 'Master' it became slowly apparent to the young vampiress and confirmed by Vladimir that he was not the oldest vampire. Vladimir's master didn't sound so bad, but Katrina would stick next to Vladimir for the time being.

She did not feel the slight tremor in the ground miles away through the bouncing carriage. Katrina took another sip of blood and stared at Vladimir.

"Thank you for everything my..." after a brief pause she spoke again "...Master."

Malthazius whistled under his breath at the lady. She was indeed of noble bearing, and beautiful in the dark way of his father's family. He was himself a son of a German baron, and had noble blood in his veins. But this woman, she was more than the nobility, it was the authority. She seemed to know the taste of real power, and her black eyes shone with one that had drunk from its heavy chalice more than once. She had ordered a shiraz. Impressive, but not overdone. He refilled his mug with the whiskey of his grandfather's homeland, and moved to the booth where the lady sat.

"Normally, my pick up lines would involve a remark about how one shouldn't be in a tavern alone. You, My lady, are an exception in every way. I grow rather tired of the filth of the mindless crowd. Would you care for the small company of a fellow traveler. My garb, I am afraid, does my station no justice, for in truth, I have lived the life of high culture, though not nearly one that you seem to have known," he finsished with a slight bow. "May I sit?"

So that's what's up with noble, a master. it seems I'll have to abandon my plans, though I do hope I can watch the...reaction to my...destructive play.

"Think nothing of it," Vladimir replied, gulping down what remained in his glass.

Master...from a fellow vampire, he thought gleefully. Vladimir's smile widened.

Soon enough, they arrived at Vladimir's lavish estate. The carrage stopped near the front steps, after traversing the long winding road.

Arcen opened the carrage door, umbrella opened to block out the harmful rays of sunlight.

"I'm sure you'll be wanting to bathe after your trek through the woods," Vladimir chuckled.

Raphael had picked up the pace when he heard the baying of hounds. It wasn't fear so much as a wish to not inflict violence upon the people of the town, regardless of how much they wished to inflict violence upon him.

As he ran, he caught sight of the carriage and followed, slowly closing the gap. Seeing Vladimir and Katrina exiting the vehicle with an umbrella, he frowned as the only people he'd ever seen with an avasion to the sun were the Chi'ang-Shih of China. He hoped that Vladimir wasn't out to hurt Katrina as he slowed to human speeds.

Running up, he began gasping and trying to speak, but failing miserably.

Katrina backed away from the door as it opened to reveal Vladimir's servant holding an umbrella, creating a small area where it would be safe for the vampires to go through. She looked at the older vampire as he mentioned a bath and gave a smile. "Yes I would."

Once she got out of the carriage and onto the ground, she was tempted to look up at the mansion, but due to the safety of the umbrella, she only got a look at the massive steps and the very bottom of the door. Katrina turned as she heard running and looked down the road to see Raphael charging up the road.

"Master, it is Raphael." She heard what sounded like dogs off in the distance. "And he has pursuers."

"Infernal annoyance," growled Vladimir as he stepped out.His persistance is quite admirable, if not a great hinderence to us.

"Don't talk. I'll attempt to rid us of him. We don't want a holy man knowing our little secret," he whispered to Katrina as he put on his top hat.

As soon as Raphael reached the vampires, Vladimir formed a concerned look. "Raphael, I'm surprised to see you!"

Count Vladimir glanced behind the panting man, at the pursuers. "Come, let us go inside."

The longer we wait out here, the more in danger we become. One could just rip away our protection... he thought as he lowered his hat. As the butler walked along, Vladimir gave Katrina a gentle nudge closer to Arcen, away from the deadly rays of the sun.

Aeschia gestured to the man to sit down. "Please do join me. I would like to have some company." She smiled slightly.

"My name is Aeschia, and I am new to this area. Could you be so kind as to tell me what is going on around here? There seems to be terrible unrest, to say the least."

She took a sip of her wine while looking at the man. "I like to know what is going on in the cities I travel to. This area seems to have... oh, how would you say it... bad Karma." Aeschia looked at him with her black eyes waiting for him to introduce himself and give her a little information.

Holy Diver was struck by Hephes blasts, but not defeated. Instead, it took a chain attched to it's arm. It began to swing it around, multiple times, before slamming it down on Hephes head. He wrapped it around Hephes' neck, and started to choke. Then, he blasted a concentrated all of water at Hephes.

"Bad Karma? I am impressed. Rarely have I had the chance to meet anybody that hs been able to travel to the enlightened lands of the Orient. As to the locality, I myself arrived only hours ago, but from what I have overheard from these mongrels, it appears as though we are in the middle of yet another backwrds, superstitious community that has been slightly affected by the War. I have heard nothing more, save for an account made by one man of a falling star. Honestly, this is a backwater farming village of drunks that doesn't hold much save for decent drink and room and board.

"My name, my Lady, is Malthazius, though should anybody ask, I am Mathew O'Flaherty of Ulster. Currently, I have no particular destination, save for the blessed realm of sleep that I feel I am approaching ever more quickly."

Quickly catching his breath, which he'd never actually lost, he nodded and replyed. "Thank you Vladimir." He intended to ask Vladimir if he were a Chi'ang-Shih once Katrina was away from them.

"Why don't people listen anymore?", thought Paul Carpenter as the assembled went into angry mob form. Picking up four dropped pistols, Carpenter left through a side dorr, where someone nearly landed on him. After the shock Carpenter started to follow the figure after hooking the bandit (who hiding in front of the door), with his Crosier, saying "Come on sinner, I need to find out what's doing on. Carpenter and the bandit followed the figure until reaching a carriage. After noticing a female in there, that was obviously not the other passanger's wife, or daughter, Carpenter readied himself, to use Crosier's holy power to blast away the wheels, of this likely adulter's vehicle.

Sigmund waited at the tavern drinking several beers and saw when night fell that a line of people was gathering outide the church. Sigmund decided that night he would see what the priest was planning to announce to the people. When Sigmund entered the church, he noticed that there were no cross's or holy icons anywhere. The priest spoke to the people, "Children of Christ! The time of judgement is now at hand. Satan is sending demons among us and slaying the faithful. We must now repent of our sins if we are to be raptured into the eternal kingdom of God. But now...." Sigmund saw the priest and three altar boys behind him showing fangs of vampires. The audience was in shock when seeing this in their church, but the priest continued, "Soon.... God will be no longer part of your worries!!" Before the vampires jumped out into the crowd, Sigmund got out his sword and sliced off the head of one of the altar boys attempting to bite him. Sigmund faced the fake priest and the other two altar boys at the top of the steps. The priest questioned, "Child. You bring a weapon into this holy sanctuary?"

Sigmund answered, "You don't seem so holy yourself actually." He then got out a steak and threw one at an altar boy behind the fake priest and was jumped by one of the altar boys attmepting to bite him. The altar boys neck was grabbed by Sigmund as he kept its teeth away from him. Sigmund got out his sword and sliced off the altar boys left arm and followed by slicing off its head.

The priest walked over the vampire corpses and offered, "Such worthy apprentices they were. You however seem to have enough power to even defeat my coven with one hand. I give you an offer now mortal. You will either join me and embrace vampiredom, or you may die now where you stand."

Sigmund answered the fake priest, "Tell you what, I don't like the sound of either, so I'll just kill you."

The fake priest answered, "Fool! You will regret the day you came across Narcross the Defiler!"

Sigmund commented, "Heh. Thats sounds exactly like what Harvan said before I wasted him. Oh well, guess history is bound to repeat itself." Sigmund got out two steaks and prepared to throw them at Narcross, but then was pinned to the wall by Narcross's hand. Narcross was about to bite him before Sigmund stuffed a steak down Narcross's mouth. Sigmund kicked Narcross off of him and threw his other steak at Narcross, who blocked it with his hand, having it stuck up his arm. Sigmund got out his sword again and sliced off the arm that wasn't steaked. Finally, Sigmund sliced off the fake priests head and ended the showdown. Sigmund left the church and saw that people were amazed at what had happened in the church. Sigmund was slightly amazed himself. He learned last year that vampires didin't like holy icons, and now vampires were infesting churches with their unholy presence. Sigmund now had to be on greater alert since now vampires were able to better disguise themselves and gather in larger numbers then he saw before. Sigmund heard remembered that the vampire disguised as a priest was talking about a demon coming up from the sea, so he decided to travel to where the demonic battlesite was taking place and find out what was happening there.....

Holy Diver was struck by Hephes blasts, but not defeated. Instead, it took a chain attched to it's arm. It began to swing it around, multiple times, before slamming it down on Hephes head. He wrapped it around Hephes' neck, and started to choke. Then, he blasted a concentrated all of water at Hephes.

Hephes' body simply absorbed the blow. As the chain was swung his neck he widened his neck and snapped the chain. Hephes was then quickly blasted into a building. For a couple of seconds Holy Diver had him. Then Hephes used his electric abilities to call on a lightning bolt. The lightning bolt struck the Diver on the head and the Holy Diver turned into a demon conductor. Boaz smiled as his opponent's demon was electrocuted by his demon.

"Yes Master." Katrina quietly mumbled as Raphael neared. She took the time to look at Vladimir's butler as he led them into the mansion, considering part of him was out in the open it was obvious he was a human. It made her wonder why a human would be a servant to a vampire, but she wouldn't dwell to much on the subject.

She instead made sure her poor excuse for shoes were as clean as they could be when the door was opened into the mansion. Vladimir told her not to talk, he didn't have to bother. Once the door was opened, Katrina's breath was taken away by the shear beauty of the mansion.

It is beautiful

Vladimir followed Katrina into his mansion, keeping himself within the Umbrella's shadow.

"Arcen, please show our guest to her room," Count Thanatos said quietly as he stepped inside.

The butler nodded as he folded the umbrella and put it near the door. "Follow me, please," Arcen said in a monotone voice as he slowly crept up a grand staircase.

As they walked, they passed by many paintings, many dipicting beauty, some showing food, and even an occasional wine glass with a red liquid in it. One who knew Vladimir for who he was, would know that the red liquid would most likely be blood.

Arcen led Katrina to a large room with a queen sized bed. The upholstery along with most of the fabric in the room were dark colors. The room held everything needed to put clothes or other objects in. What it lacked, however, was a mirror and sunlight. In fact, the mansion had a surprisingly small amount of windows.

"Ma'am, the bathtub is this way," the butler continued as he opened a side door, revealing a spacious bathroom. One large bathtub sat in the middle. It gleamed with a glossy glow as candles were lit around it. "I will bring the warm water in a minute."

Vladimir watched the two ascend the staircase for several seconds before turning to Raphael. "So, I'm guessing you didn't heed my advice?" he asked as he led Raphael into a small room of couches. He motioned for Raphael to take a seat on a comfortable couch, as he took off his cape and hung it on a coat rack, along with his hat. He propped his cane along the side of an arm chair, in which he sat in afterwards.

Holy Diver was hit hard by the lightning, but it wouldn't give in without a fight. It's chain was till long. It thrust the chain foward. The chain now had a bladed tip. It hit Hephes in the chest, and now the lighting that was htiing Holy Dive was surging into Hephes, as well as water bursting forth from Holy Diver's other hand slamming into Hephes.

"Actually I did." Raphael replied as he pulled back his cloak's hood but otherwise left it on. "It seems that there was something they wished a scapegoat for and it seemed that I was the victem. If I may ask you something, are you a Chi'ang-Shih?"

"Drunken peasants. Do not worry about them. If they do knock on my door, they won't see you, and I think I have enough weight around here to pursuade them otherwise."

Vladimir raised his eyebrow at Raphael's question. "That's...a bit informal...."

Are you trying to ask if I'm a vampire?" Vladimir asked with a small chuckle. "What would make you think that?"

Hephes simply laughed as his body absorbed the lightning and the water. Hephes ripped the chain out of his body and used it like a lasso to catch the Diver. Hephes then began spinning the water demon all over the place. Boaz shook his head. He sent a message to Krastatros. I do believe this battle is over old friend. My beast and your beast seem to be a draw. He waited for a reply.

Raphael paused for a second as he worked to translate the term, tracking it back by dialect/language. "I think that's the right term. As to why I believe that, while you do not have all the traits of the Chi'ang-Shih, you do share some of the more pronounced traits with them." He explained

"What sort of traits, Raphael?" Vladimir asked, keeping himself low-key. He may know to much...I may have to get him killed...

"A feverant dislike of the sun, a prediliction of women." He replied, "There are a few that I've been unable to see, such as the difficulty with crossing water, nor the requirement of drinking blood."

Katrina looked at the mansion as she followed Arcen up the stairs. From what she had already seen, it appeared one could pack all the homes in her village in here and still have plenty of room. Her eyes almost stung from the visual overload as she stared at the multiple paintings and sculptures that lined the halls.

She felt horribly out of place and hoped that after a bath she could be more presentable to Vladimir and to his master when she met him. When the door opened to her room, unable to hid the shock she gasped. What lay before her was things that even a child could never imagine.

The vampiress looked at Arcen and smiled. "Thank you very much. A quick bath would be a good thing."

"Raphael, I'm beginning to think you're insulting me," Vladimir replied. "I like to keep my skin pale, rather than a horrid tan color. And I have no idea where you get an idea of a 'predilection of women'. And you can bet yourself that I have never drank any sort of blood!"

Over? Well, if you wish... Krastatros laughed. Holy Diver let loose it's chained and landed on the ground. It's eyes glowed red. Then, from the ocean, a wave began to grow. By the time it reached the demons, it was a tidal wave, taller than both of them. It slammed into the country side. The tiny village was sparred however, by Krastatros, because he had plans with it. He put up a shield around it. When the wave was gone, neither Hepehs or Holy Diver were remaining.

"Then I apologise if you are not a Chi'ang-Shih. You asked why I thought that you were, and thus I was giving my reasons for that belief. If you are not, then I apologise." Raphael replied

Arcen disappeered for several minutes before returning with warm water. He poured it into the bathtub and continued to do so until it was full of the warm water. Arcen added soap to the water, creating thousands of bubbles across the water. He placed a bar of soap on the side, balancing it perfectly on the curved wall of the tub.

As he left he bowed to Katrina. "You're bath is ready, Miss."

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

Vladimir nodded slowly. "I'm surprised, Raphael. Would a vampire be as generous as me? Wouldn't a vampire spend his days feasting on souls or sleeping?"

Boaz sent Krastatros another message. Next time however it won't be a draw. I will defeat you. Boaz lept up into the air and transformed into a bat. He disappeared into the night.

"While I do not know the traditional habits of a vampire, many Chi'ang-Shih were quite generous and hospitable. Poets, scholars, philosphers, warriors, murderes and thieves. Those Chi'ang-Shih I've known ran the full specturm." He replied

"Well, you have no worries, Raphael. I am no vampire," Vladimir finally said, a reassuring smile on his face.

"I believe your pursuers must have left. Where do you think you'll be heading next?" Count Thanatos asked as he stood up.

"Thank you Arcen." Katrina said as he left and shut the door to the bedroom. She stripped, revealing a slender slightly muscled body from working out in the fields day after day. Though her skin used to be a very faint bronze color, her body was now a milky white. She gently placed one foot into the water, sighing in relief as she felt the water. Slowly, she eased the rest of her body in and relaxed in the warmth of the water and glow of the candles.

Katrina smiled as she relaxed for a while, it was like nothing she had experianced. Back in her village she had to bath in a cold river, this was completely different and much better. Katrina thought about her village, tears almost coming to her eyes. Her family and others probably have not forgotten her and have probably erected crosses up so that she might never return. Then again, she wouldn't want to go home, Vladimir was her master now and maybe in time, her mind flashed an evil thought for a second, she would go back have revenge on the people who nearly killed her.

Katrina left the dark fantasy and picked up the bar of soap and began to clean herself.

"I do not know, I rarely plan my travels. I go where nature takes me." He replied

Vladimir nodded, eager to get back to business and do away with Raphael. "If you don't mind, Raphael, I have a lot of business I must attend to. A good friend of mine is having a get together, and it would be best if I left as soon as possible."

Count Thanatos snapped his fingers and another servant appeared. "Please take Raphael to the door," the count said to the serf.

"Raphael, I wish you the best of luck on your journeys. Perhaps we may see each other again."

Hopefully not, unless you were dead on the road side, though Vladimir cruelly.

Arcen came down the stairs, bowing to Vladimir. "Master, she is bathing. Would you like me to give her a dress to wear?" he whispered to the count, keeping his voice barely audible.

"I'll pick one out myself," Vladimir replied at the same volume. "Make sure Raphael leaves the estate."

He nodded to Raphael before walking up to Katrina's room. He opened up a door to the walk-in closet and searched through the dresses.

This room as well as the dresses once belonged to the wife of the previous owner of this house. She was a beautiful woman, but flawed in the sense that she was incredibly vain. She was a good bed partner, though, Vladimir thought with a smirk as he remembered the night he coaxed her into bed with him, before relieving her of her life.

He picked through the dresses, before choosing a dark black dress that seemed to glitter in the darkness and a dark red satin dress that was smooth to the touch. He smiled as he remembered how beautiful it's previous owner looked in them.

Vladimir knocked lightly on Katrina's bathroom door. "Katrina, I have several gifts for you," he said through the door.

Katrina jumped slightly, but managed to prevent the water from sloshing out and more importantly from any of the candles from tipping over. She turned to the door and spoke. "I'll be out in a minute."

Several minutes later, Katrina emerged, a towel wrapped around her torso. Her hair was still a little damp but the rest of her body was fairly dry. She smiled at Vladimir, wondering what gifts were.

"Yes Master?"

"Wait.", thought Carpenter, distracted from blowing the cart's wheels off, "Something has violated holy grounds!" Carpenter sprinted back into town, bandit in tow, telling himself he'd take care of the adulter later. Reaching town, he raised his Crosier, raining holy fire upon the church.

"Katrina, considering you have no home, I have decided to let you have everything in this room. It's all yours, the jewelery, the dresses, the furniture, the room itself," Vladimir smiled warmly. "And, I have picked out two dresses I think you would look marvelous in for our meeting with my master."

He held up the two dresses that had been laid across the bed. "Do you like them? If not, your closet is quite full of elegant dresses. However, I am quite fond of the...darker colors," Vladimir chuckled quietly.

The vampiress could not believe her ears, all of this, everything in the room was hers. She looked around, almost not believing the words that came out of his mouth. She turned back to him and smiled, she would be able to live with him and be his. Katrina's eyes locked on the dresses, they were of course of great higher quailty than the rough rags she was wearing earlier.

"They are marvelous." She said. Walking up to him, Katrina looked at both of them before choosing the red satin one. "I will wear this. Can you excuse me Master while I get dressed?"

"Thank you for your hospitality, and please convey my regards to Katrina." Raphael replied as he allowed the butler to lead him out.

"Of course, miss Katrina," Vladimir replied, his smile widening. He hung up the black dress before walking out of her room and closing the door behind him. He paced around the hallways, eager to see Katrina in the dress, before stopping in front of a painting. It was a beautiful painting of Vladimir, showing a handsome face with warm hazel eyes and glossed black hair. He smiled slightly as he admired the portrait.

Vladimir himself was quite vain as a normal human being, however as a vampire, Count Thanatos has had trouble with that trait. He could not look in a mirror, as doing such would reveal nothing. It would seem as though he wasn't there.

Moving himself away from the picture, as well as the discouraging thought's he continued to pace.

ooc: is Mathazius a vampire hunter?

Katrina took her time dressing, for one thing it was to hopefully excite Vladimir and second was more excusable since she had never put anything on like this before. A half hour later, the door opened into the hallway an the anxious Vladimir halted.

Katrina was wearing the dress he had given her, her light brown hair was straight and done into a pony-tail, she didn't bother wearing makeup, prefering the stainless white of her vampire skin. Around her neck was a gold necklace with a beautifully polished dark ruby set amongst golden leaves.

Katrina smiled and did a quick twirl, allowing Vladimir to see her fully. "Am I presentable?"

ooc: Please... I cannot post w/out this info! Is he a vampire hunter? Mathazius.

ooc: Hello.... I posted this in the ooc thread as well. NO ONE HAS ANSWERED ME! I looked up his char and it says "hunter". Hunter of what?

ooc: Please... I cannot post w/out this info! Is he a vampire hunter? Mathazius.
ooc: Yes, he is. See ooc thread.

ooc: I did.

Satisfied at Boaz's anger, Kratatros decided to pay a little visit to Vlasmir. He turned into a mist, and floated over to where he was. He rematerizlized in front of him. "Greetings Vladmir. Tell me, how have you been? What have you done over the past hundred years? And why is Boaz so powerful now?"

ooc: Hello.... I posted this in the ooc thread as well. NO ONE HAS ANSWERED ME! I looked up his char and it says "hunter". Hunter of what?

OOC-Just a hunter. Of everything.

"Bad Karma? I am impressed. Rarely have I had the chance to meet anybody that hs been able to travel to the enlightened lands of the Orient. As to the locality, I myself arrived only hours ago, but from what I have overheard from these mongrels, it appears as though we are in the middle of yet another backwrds, superstitious community that has been slightly affected by the War. I have heard nothing more, save for an account made by one man of a falling star. Honestly, this is a backwater farming village of drunks that doesn't hold much save for decent drink and room and board.

"My name, my Lady, is Malthazius, though should anybody ask, I am Mathew O'Flaherty of Ulster. Currently, I have no particular destination, save for the blessed realm of sleep that I feel I am approaching ever more quickly."

"Pleased to meet you Malthazius." Aeschia nodded. Aeschia was old enough to recognize a hunter easily.

"Well then, do not let me keep you from your rest. Personally I find my room to be a bit substandard, but in a town like this, what can you do?" Aeschia chuckled.

Damn it... just what I need. I do not want to arouse suspicion, but I am sure he knows exactly what I am.

"As a matter of fact, I think I will get some rest myself. It was nice meeting you." Karasu nodded as she stood up. She had her hands next to her belt under her cloak, ready to grab weapons at any time.

Karasu walked quickly to her room.

ooc: Look in the ooc thread, TGS posted in there
Vladimir smiled widely, his fangs in clear view. "Quite so, Katrina," he replied as he walked closer to her. He could smell the wonderful odor of her clean body. He was nearly mesmerized at how great she looked.

"Wonderful...if I say so myself," he spoke quietly, nearly a whisper as he looked at her pale skin, her light brown eyes, her perfect form...

His face inched closer to hers as he began to fall for her.

"Sir, Raphael would like to give his regards to Miss Katrina," spoke Arcen, who had silently crept up the stairs to give them the news.

Vladimir snapped out of his trance and straightened up. "It was...difficult to get rid of him," he chuckled quietly.

"I was worried he knew about me...he seemed to think I was a vampire. How...strange," Count Thanatos said sarcastically.

"Katrina...are you ready to depart? I would not want my master to be kept waiting longer than several days."

Suddenly, something materialized nearby. Krastatros.

"Master!" shouted a shocked Vladimir as he nearly stumbled backwards. "I-I have been fine. I must say, it was quite a surprise to have heard from you. I had thought you were busy regaining your strength."

"As for me, I have been laying low, performing small deeds..." Vladimir was slightly nervous his master had come to pay him a visit. He looked towards Katrina, who still looked marvelous in her dress.

"My lord, m-may I introduce you to Katrina, the newest vampire in our order," Vladimir said as he motioned his palm over to the vampiress. "I have made it my duty to teach her our ways...if y-you don't mind, my lord."

You had better not take her from me, Krastatros... Vladimir thought with mixed feelings of worry and anger.

Sigmund saw the destruction in the town and was amazed at what had just happened. He was told tales of such demons, but never encountered one, few mortals ever did. When they both left the town, he decided that now it was safe to see if any survivors were among the ruined villages.

He went to a nearby one and found a ruined house at the center of it. Inside it was what looked like a one room library with some livestock outside. Sigmund looked out the window and could not see any survivors as far as the eye could see. Later, he heard the struggling of what sounded like a young woman. Sigmund went over to a fallen wall and found a woman trying to get out from under it. Sigmund went over and lifted up the wall so that the woman could crawl out. She thanked, "Thank you sir. I didn't think that anyone would find me out here."

Sigmund looked at the woman and saw that she didn't appear as a vampire. He asked her, "Did you see anything come by here?"

She answered, "I did. I saw a massive demon with a chain and another using fire against it. The one with the chain was destroying all of the villages untill the other one came."

Sigmund asked, "Who lives in that house in the center of this place?"

She answered to him, "That was once the home of our elder who knew a great deal about such demons that have attacked us . It seems that he is dead though. I don't see any survivors unless you do."

Sigmund decided he had his questions answered and started to head into the elders house. The woman thanked, "Thank you for saving me sir." Sigmund ignored her thanks and went up to the house and started to look at the books the elder had....

Katrina smiled at her Master's approval of her attire. As he leaned closer, her eyes shut as she expected his lips to meet hers, only to be interuppted by Arcen reporting of Raphael and his message to her. The vampiress opened her eyes and gave a slight nod to the human and laughed at Vladimir's sarcasm.

"I am ready to depart at any..."

She turned as a form suddenly formed near them, Krastatros. Katrina was suprised by the reaction of her Master, but once he introduce her to Krastatros, she acted. Katrina gave a respectful bow to the older vampire.

"It is an honor to meet you my Lord." She said. Even after she straightened up, her eyes were cast to the floor until she would be recongized.

"It is an honor, Katrina. Correct me if I am wrong, but you are a vampire? And you do wish to join our order? I just want to make sure that you want to do it. How long have you been a vampire. Forgive me, I'm just curious." Then Krastatros turned to Vladmir. Vladmir, Boaz is strong. He is gaining strength with every passing moment. He nearly defeated Holy Diver with one of his hellspawned beasts. I want you to send someone over to investigate him. Krastatros could tell Vladmir adored Katrina. He did not, because love to him was so unreal after becoming a vampire.

Erik was searching for any survivors when he encountered a group of survivors. They pointed him to the direction of the elder's house. There he saw a man reading books. "Who are you? I am Erik, a hunter. I assume you saw the demons that were battling. I have come to seek out information of them in these books. Have you found anything yet?"

Katrina looked up at Krastatros and smiled, her fangs visible. "Yes I am my Lord. About a month ago I was abducted, raped, then turned into a vampire...who ran off as soon as he turned me. I have been living on animals until my Master found me last night my Lord."

She nodded. "I would like to join your order my Lord."

"Excellent. I can always use more vampires. Well, I'm sure you already know a good amount about being a vampire. What you don't know, Vladmir can teach you. I must say, you have the capability to become a powerful vampire, Katrina."

OOC- Brazilam, Erik is talking to you, if I wasn't clear.

Katrina smiled at the compliment and gave another bow. "Thank you my Lord...I will do what I can to be as useful to you and Master as possible."

She was begining to feel better, she had finally found acceptance amongst vampires, but not just any, probably the two most powerful in the world. Katrina began to feel she was going to enjoy her eternal life.

OOC- Brazilam, Erik is talking to you, if I wasn't clear.

OOC- I know, I just wasn't here when this got posted.

IC- Sigmund looked at the man who had just entered the room. He looked at him for several seconds before he could confirm he wasn't a vampire. He answered, "Not much really. I haven't seen the demons myself, but I found the one that people said weilded a giant chain. It was called a Holy Diver. Some type of demon that God banished to the sea in the fifth day of creation." Sigmund then placed the book down and questioned, "But why would you exactly be interested in something like this?"

"I am a hunter. I have come to this town because I felt that a great evil was brewing. I came to search the town when the demons arrived. Erik opened an old book. There he found one of the demons. "Here's one of them. Hephes, a fire and lightning demon." A few pages after, he found Holy Diver. "I know that something is going on. By the way, I am Erik, a hunter. And you are?"

"Sigmund Krieger. I've been searching here too. Some vampire disguised as a priest said there were demons destroying villages around here and that the end of the world was happening. I hoped finding them would lead to finding more about some weird vampire I've heard about."

Investigate Boaz? Master, forgive my impudence, but...he is quite powerful, even for me. I-I cannot... Vladimir responded before bowing his head. Forgive me ,Master, I shall do as best I can. However, I may need a few days to train Katrina. I am eager to test her limits. Perhaps another can provide me the lackeys I need...

Vladimir rubbed his chin as he began to formulate ideas.

Master, there is a strange creature, somewhat holy, who has roamed the area. He goes by the name of Raphael. He had suspicions that I was a vampire, however I may have dissuaded that opinion. What should I do with him? he asked Krastatros.

"I am quite eager to begin training of our young Katrina. Perhaps you would like to shed some tips for us, master?" Count Thanatos asked as he smiled at Katrina.

"Yet, she has the look of a natural, so I am expecting good results," he added with a wink.

After Raphael had left Vladimir's residence, he decided to see about returning to the village and thus set off, hoping the mob had simmered down and would no longer wish to string him up by his toes.

Malthazius watched the woman go. "Looks like a feisty one," he thought to himself. "I wonder what got her all annoyed. Seems to be me, though why, I can't quite grasp. Interesting one." Malthazius decided it was time for bed. He paid his tab, which he personally felt unreasonable given his relative good manners, and headed up. In his room, he found a jar containing salt. Useful. He sread it across the doorway and beneath the tiny window, added a drop of his blood to each line from his left thumb, then cuaterized the wound, which healed rapidly. He lay down, closed his eyes, and quickly fell asleep.

Katrina smiled back at Vladimir and gave another curt bow from his compliments. She had high hopes and prayed that she could do well and impress him and the vampire Lord. As she stood silent, she thought about what she could achieve with this gift. Her thoughts drifted a little back to her village where she had not been accepted and nearly killed by her own family and friends. They could not see her beauty like Vladimir could. Katrina smiled to herself as she thought of returning there someday, in full elegance to savor the shock of them all, before they died at her hands for what they tried to do to her. Though, the only brightside of being chased away was being able to meet Vladimir and have a guide.

"I am eager to begin training Master...that is when you and Lord Krastatros are finished."

Vladmir, did that holy demon do anything odd? Because I think he might be the one we need to investigate Boaz. Try to find him, and bring him to me. When you do this, you may continue with Katrina.

Aeschia would not run off from Malthazius, however, she did not know his intentions and it could be very well that he intended to kill her.

I really hope not. For not my trepidation, I would have liked to spend some time with him, but with everything going crazy here, him being a hunter, who knows of what, I cannot be too careful.

Aeschia decided to do something a bit impulsive. She strapped on all her weapons and put her cape on, packed her bag in case she had to sprint out of there quickly.

She went down and asked the innkeeper in which room Malthazius was residing. Aeschia decided she would be straight up with him. She did not like games. It was something that rubbed off on her from Marius. She preferred to have information as soon as she could.

Aeschia found out what room Malthazius was staying in, walked slowly and confidently to his door. Aeschia believed he could not be sleeping yet.

"Malthazius!" She called as she knocked on his door. "I trust I have not woken you yet. This is Aeschia. I would like to talk to you for a little while if you are up to it. I know you said you were tired, so I thought I would give it a shot anyway. My deepest apologies if I did wake you."

Aeschia was slightly different from other vampires, as she felt the same need as Marius to feed specifically on criminals. She did not feel herself to be evil. Over time, many holy symbols did not affect her. If he was a hunter, she wanted him to know she never hurt innocents and had in her time, defended humans. Aeschia was not evil. She would defend herself, and then she certainly passed for evil, but she did not even have a chance to chat with Malthazius who was kind enough to ask to join her, unless it was to kill her... and she was going to find out.

Bring him to you, master? His holiness will not hurt you? Should I bring him to your castle or will you meet him here? Vladimir asked. He had begun to pace nervously as ideas and worry engulfed his mind.

As he paced past Katrina, he accidently brushed against her roughly.

Worried of knocking her down, his arms shot up, in an attempt to keep her from falling. Without thinking, his hands positioned themselves on Katrinas smooth, slender waist. Vladimir's eyes widened with shock as he looked into her soft brown eyes.

"I'm...sorry," Vladimir apologized quietly, still entranced in her gaze. He slowly took his hands off her waist and hooked them together behind his back. He had trouble taking his eyes off hers, however, the corner of his mouth curling up ever so slightly.

Slightly embarrassed he walked back to the wall and stood there. He had to admit...he did enjoy that moment...

Malthazius woke to a sharp knocking on his door, then the shouts of Aeschia coming into his room. "Wonder what she wants now?" He got up, looked at his suit of fire-proof clothes, then thought better of it, and instead threw on a thick cotton shirt, a pair of leather trousers, and a cloak given to him by his uncle. He went to the door and opened it.

"Aeschia, I must say that I am a little confused. Do not worry yourself about waking me, I sleep light, and rest easily. I do hope that I did not offend you with my brash manner in which I introduced myself, but spending time on the road has blunted my manners. I am afraid that my quarters are a little cramped, but I would like to talk with you as well." He stood behind the line that was laid down just beyond the threshold of the doorframe, and made a gesturing motion with his left hand. "If you wish, you may enter, or, if you would prefer, I am equally willing to continue this conversation at a more comfortable location."

Raphael, unaware of the happenings at Vladimir's residence continued to the village and was relieve that the mob didn't appear to be still hunting him. Seeing the sign for an inn, different from the one he'd had the negative experiance at, he headed there and ordered a simply meal of potatoes, as he knew from experiance that rice was not grown in these lands.

I'm sure that he will not harm me. Bring him to your mansion, and I will meet him. It is imperative that you do. And remeber, when your done, you can spend more time with Katrina.

As you wish, master. Would you ask me to do so, or should I make Arcen to do so. I would so dislike the fact of going back into the sunlight Vladimir replied, looking at Arcen, who waited patiently at the stairs.

I suppose Arcen can do it. Just make sure he understands that he must move quickly.

I thank you for your kindness master.

Vladimir turned towards his patient servant. "Arcen, I need you to retrieve Raphael. He is important in our matters. Bring him here as soon as possible."

"It will be done, my lord," Arcen replied, bowing before walking downstairs and outside.

Arcen drove the empty carriage to town, after making sure to take the bottled blood into the cellar of the mansion.

Raphael had finished his simple meal and, after paying for it, decided to go for a walk in the village, and more specifically the majestic oak that he'd spotted gracing the town square.

Katrina was knocked slightly off balance from Vladimir's bump, she was grateful when she saved him and his hands going around her waist suprised her. Yet it also made her smile as she looked up into his eyes. She spoke when he removed his hands in a soft, gentle voice. "It is okay."

She was liking Vladimir, he was handsome, cultured, kind, the perfect genlteman. She stood by quietly as Vladimir and Krastatros stood quiety by. Katrina knew by the slight change of expressions that they were somehow discussing things, did one get magic when one turned into a vampire? However the cause, they were talking in a way unknown to her.

It suprised her that Raphael was wanted, but Krastatros must have a plan for him. So, Katrina quietly waited.

Arcen spotted the deformed man walking about the city and drove the carriage up to him.

"Raphael, Count Thanatos wishes to see you again. His business had finished quicker than expected and he would greatly appreciate your coming," Arcen called out to him in his monotone voice.

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

Vladimir glanced at Katrina, who kept quiet throughout the whole time.

Master, may I suggest we get Katrina in on this? She remains patient, yet I feel bad for her.

"It's so noisey in here, isn't it," Vladimir jested, smiling at Katrina.

"I will get straight to the point... Malthazius, I know what you are. Do you intend to kill me. I am not an evil woman." Aeschia said point blank.

"I certainly hope you have no intentions of hurting me. I know you are a hunter, and that you likely hunt vampires. I want you to know I never harm innocents unless attacked, in which case I do not see them as innocents, and only feed from wicked criminals."

Aeschia continued, "I think we may get along just fine... that is if my death is not what you seek. Is it?"

Aeschia waited for Malthazius to answer.

"Hello Arcen." Raphael replied, "Might I ask why he wishes to speak with me, considering he couldn't seem to get rid of me soon enought last time."

"The Fuck?" Malthazius thought to himself. "You're a Vampiress? And how do you know that I am a Hunter? I came in, saw somebody of noble blood and graceful intelligence, and tried to see if I would be able to enjoy the company of such a noble person. I am not hunting tonight, nor for that matter, did I think of you as a Vampiress. But what do you mean by telling me all of this, if you know that my calling often seeks for death of one such as you?"

"You must fogive my master, sir. When he is in a hurry, he can get pushy. He did have a meeting to go to, and apparantly, soon after you left, it was canceled," Arcen replied as he stepped down towards Raphael.

"Then lead on, I'll see what he wishes." Raphael replied as he stood from where he was sitting at the base of the oak.

"I think you knew, Malthazius. If not, well, I just blew it. How did I know what you were? Let us just say I can tell." Aeschia told him.

Aeschia looked at him with a fondness in her eyes. "I... I thought we would get along even knowing what we were. I thought, probably mistakenly, that you spared those who were not evil. I feed only off vile criminals, and have even saved humans." She sighed feeling foolish. "Perhaps I was wrong." A tear fell from her eye.

"You were so kind, and I thought you knew what I was, so I was determined to speak with someone so kind as to give someone like me a chance."

More tears were coming from her eyes. Was I wrong?

"One way or another, you know now. Do you want me dead? Do you intend to kill me? Or can we just chat as two nobles?"

She shook her head. "How could I be such an idiot." Her heart sunk.

"Nevermind. I will leave now."

Arcen opened up the carriage door and motioned towards it without a word towards Raphael.

Raphael entered the carriage and wondered what Vladimir wished of him.

"Wait!" called Malthazius. "I am honest in what I say, and I can tell that you are too. I am a hunter, yes, but I am a nobleman first, disinherited though I may be. I value honor and honesty, more so than simple loyalty, and so I respect you, for you came to me in truth. I have nothing against those that defend themselves, and I do not pass judgement upon those that are straight with me. I have my faults, I am impulsive, but I also have my virtues, and I can not violate them by killing you. I do not wish for your death, and if you would like, I would be happy to talk with you."

Vladimir's butler poked his head in before he left. "There is wine under your seat, sir, if you feel the need to quench your thirst."

Arcen had in fact, replaced the bottle of blood with wine, as well as replace the used glasses with new ones.

Without another word, Arcen closed the door and began to drive Raphael back to Vladimir's mansion.

"Thank you, but I don't drink wine." Raphael replied as he sat down, his staff across his legs and relaxed as the carriage rolled along.

Aeschia turned around with a smile on her face. "I am so glad you feel this way." She sighed with relief, so much so that she gave him a big hug.

"Oh, I am sorry, I did not mean to get carried away. It is just that you are so kind." She told Malthazius.

"By the way, as honest as I am, I am loyal to the core. I promise you that."

Aeschia sat down on the floor interested in their forthcoming conversation.

"I would prefer somewhere other than the hall," said Malthazius. "Even though you are a Vampiress, and I have drawn the line of salt and blood, I did invite you in, so if you wish, we may discuss things in a more private place such as my room. If you ahve somewhere else that you would prefer, however, I remain as before, equally willing to find some more comfortable place, but as is my custom, I await your pleasure, my lady."

you all need to find friends, girlfriends, you all need to get lives.

ooc: I don;t feel like talking about this here. Take it to the Signup thread, and we'll all discuss ways to get this jerk.

"I think I will join you in your room Malthazius... and thank you for inviting me." Aeschia nodded as she walked in, pleased with how things were turning out.

Malthazius closed the door behind his guest, and then proceeded to clear the table of his steel garments. He knew that Aeschia would ask about them, but first he decided he wanted to get to know her a little better. Pulling out the chair for her, she sat, and then he sat down down opposite her. "So," he said, "I think the first thing I would like to know about you is what exaclty do you mean by not killing innocents, and the times that you have acted to save humans."

i spent 5 seconds typing what i said. you people are literally taking hours to write all that story. wow...i bet you husband is lonely.

look bud, get out of here. You don't need to be a jackass. We all have friends. I bet a lot have girlfriends. So stop being a retard, and let us do what we like to do.

ooc: Yet he keeps coming back... hours? I type faster than you can talk no doubt. And my husband is hardly lonely! You returning here shows your lack of a life... Zeroboy... I won't answer any more of your childish garbage again. You know what you are... if you had friends or a g/f, you'd be with them. My hubby is right behind me doing financial records on his puter... La Hooo... Za Herrrrr.... :rolleyes:

yeah, probably, i am not a native english speaker. hahahaha, "Zeroboy." I am more of a man than your husband no doubt, and I'm 20, i bet that's half his age!

fine, I'm done.
Please delete your posts in this thread, as well as the rest of us deating our ooc, to avoid cluttering.

OOC- Man that guy was iratating.

IC- Krastatros waited for the holy demon. He made himself look like a human, completely in-vampire. He needed to look as human as possible. Hopefully this demon would be cooperative with him.

Arcen stopped the carriage as they reached Vladimir's mansion.

"We are here, sir," the butler said as he opened up Raphael's door. "Please follow me."

The monotone butler walked slowly and rigidly to the dark mansion, opening it's large door.

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

Vladimir smiled at Katrina and put a finger to his mouth, signaling silence.

"As you wish." Raphael replied, exiting the carriage and following Arcen into the mansion to meet Vladimir, again.

Katrina looked at Vladimir as he signaled for silence as the footsteps of Arcen and Raphael slowly drew closer. She gave him a nod, unless Raphael spoke to her directly and she could not avoid the question, she would remain silent. Still, the vampiress wondered what duty Krastatros had for the demon who of all things seemed in touch with religion. The vampiress made sure her lips were together in order not to show off her fangs as Arcen and the demon neared.

"Ah, Raphael! Glad you could come," Vladimir said joyously. "My guest here would like to see you."

"And who would this guest be that is interested in meeting me?" Raphael asked

"Malthazius... I have not counted the times I have acted to save human lives." Aeschia was a bit offended at the way this conversation was beginning. "As far as innocents... just what I mean. I feed on murderers, rapists, pilliagers." Aeschia glared at him.

"Why is it that you invite me in here and then interrogate me. I thought we were going to talk, not that I had to defend my existence." She said angrily.

Aeschia stood up. "If this is what you invited me in here for, I am not interested. I answered your questions, 'Interrogator'. I hope my answers were sufficient. I have no plans to interrogate you, so I shall be going, as it seems you did not invite me in here for a friendly conversation."

She shook her head. "Unbelievable... there I go, misjudging you yet again. I thought we were going to have a friendly nice evening. I am not even going to ask you about your armor, as I did not come in to interrogate you. Good night." Aeschia said, as she walked to the door.

"Aeschia, please, I did not mean to interrogate you. All that I wanted to know was what you truly meant by innocents. I have no love for the scum of humanity, but people have different definitions for everything, especially innocent. There are some that would say you only feed on the innocent, for in strength is innocence, as some would argue. I myself am no subscriber to this ideal, and I believe that you aren't either.

"If you wish, I would tell you my own stroy, and while not nearly as ancient as yours, I am sure that you will find it intriguing none the less." Malthazius looked at her, fire glinting in his eyes as he asked her to forgive his actions.

Aeschia walked back in hesitantly and sat back down.

"OK, tell me about yourself." She said.

"I am a Pyromancer," said Malthazius. "That it about sums it up, though the story is quite long. I was born to a German nobleman of Saxony, though I am only one fourth German. My mother was mixed blood Irish-Scottish Catholic, and my father's mother was Welsh. I grew up with my siblings, all four, but I was the eldest, and was thus destined to succeed my father as lord. I was accustomed to a life of ease, though I had received training from the blacksmith to see what the people had to do to survive. My life was enjoyable, and I was proud to call myself a Catholic and a Man of God.

"Then it happened. One night, I was with my betrothed, Adrianna, as we walked through the woods. I had my sword with me, though I had not thought it would be needed. As we walked, I saw the stars, and my love and I played a game of naming the constellations. It was as she looked up to find me pointing out the Great Bull that it struck. I do not know what it is, even to this day, but I attacked it, and it fought before it fled, leaving me wounded and my love to die in my arms. I cursed the name of God, and He in turn cursed me. He said unto me 'You whom have lost your lover shall soon know the meaning of loss. You shall go forth as my herald, as an angel of my wrath, to seek that which must be destroyed, to cleanse the unclean in their own filth and blood.' I passed out after that, though I think I was unconscious as He spoke to me.

"When I awoke, it was to the sound of hoof beats. I was barely able to drag myself to the road, but I managed to hail the rider, whom had been sent to search for my companion and I by my father. We burried my beloved Adrianna the next day, though I was too weak and too angry to attend, a mistake which I regret. I drank myself into a stupor that night, hoping it would kill me by aggravating the wounds from that fell creature. It only healed them, and awoke the powers that the Lord bestowed upon me. I am now immune to fire, but more importantly, I can control its very essence, summoning it from my body, changing its shape, and sending it whither I will. Indeed, I sometimes wonder if indeed that I have become fire, for I have its speed and strength. I can swim, and do things as a normal human, but I had a tendency to burn my clothes. The suit of steel that you see there is my way of adapting to my condition. I use it not only as an outfit, but also as my armor. Alcohol strengthens me, and while I am human, I heal fast when my wounds are cauterized. I do not know if I have any weaknesses, as I am able to drink water, attend the Mass, walk by daylight and moonlight, and everything else that humanity does unimpeded. I am a hunter, yes, but if I intend to save my soul, this is what I must do, for it is the will of my God."

"I am very sorry." Aeschia put her hand on his. "Did you ever find out what attacked her? I am sorry, I am only curious." Aeschia set her cape down.

"So, you kill many vampires I assume. Had you not found out the way I lead my life, you would have killed me as well, would you not?" Aeschia asked, knowing he would have.

"How do you determine which may be destroyed?" Aeschia asked curiously.

"I am truly sorry for your loss.

"Personally, my husband and I split up a year ago. We had been together for 600 years." Aeschia chuckled. "That sounds crazy to a mortal!

"They were good years, however 600 years is a very long time." She smiled.

"I wanted to get out into the world and meet people. I enjoy the company of mortals and kindred. This is why I am grateful you, of all people are not trying to kill me, but are acting as a possible friend." Aeschia smiled.

"I swear I am not evil, never have been. When I was turned, my master and husband taught me never to hurt innocents, and to feed on evil men. I have done so since the beginning and continue to do so. More or less, I want to lead as normal a life as I can, all things considered, as I have for all these years. Yet there seems to be something strange going on around here, although I do not know what." She commented.

"Are you privy to whatever these strange vibes result from... I can feel almost... opposing forces at work."

She looked into his eyes. "Again, I am truly sorry for your loss." Aeschia intoned.

"A good friend of mine, Raphael. I believe he would like to introduce himself," Vladimir replied kindly. Now I'm forced to begging this beast to come to me...the irony he thought angrily.

"Then where is he?" Raphael asked, "And what did you tell him about me to illicit such interest?"

Malthazius stood, and stared out the window. "I never discovered the identity of my attacker. It has haunted me to this day. I have visited the grave of my Adrianna each winter, her favorite season.

"I hunt that which is dangerous to humanity. Those that prey upn the innocent, for instance. I wait, I observe, and I always delve. Had I found out that you were a vampiress from my normal means, I would have realized that you were basically a good person before I would have met you. Unravleing a victim's past is not as hard as some would imagine. If it was a monster killing a monster, than I let it pass, for another has already done the judging.

"Once, I fought to protect a pair of vampires even, a couple that, you could easily believe, had been together for 750 years. A rogue priest was running around spraying Holy Water everywhere, trying to catch the culprits behind a string of murders. It turned out that he was a Lycan, and the couple in question weren't responsible at all, having used a mixture of rats' and cattle's blood to sustain themselves.

"From what they told me, while not completely the same, the rats do have the same basic nutrient content and the cow blood gave it flavor. They even used their own cows.

"As to the feeling, yes, I sense it too, but I have learned that half of what I fell is only the darker side of a stupid people. However, your own history has only been summarized, and if you would not mind, I would appreciate the tale of another traveler, if only for the sake of camraderie."

"PLease frogive my lateness, master Raphael." Krastatros walked toward him, but he looked much older than he usually did. He was also not in his armour, but in a noble's robe. He wnated to look like a weak human. "My name is Kurtis Armus. I am the master of this estate. Please forgive my subordinate. He has been alone for some time. Now I have a propostion for you. I can tell you are a holy man. I have been trying to rid this world of evil. There is a powerful vampire known as Boaz. He is the man responsible for the damage down to a near by town. Now, I wish to defeat him, but I need information. You are very holy. SAo holy, in fact, I think he wouldn't be able to harm you with harming himself. I want you to go find out all you can about him. If you accept, details will be given. What do you say?"

"Greetings." Raphael replied to the man's welcome as he listened to him talk. "I must respectfully decline your request. Evil has a place in the world, as does good. Both are necessary and removing one is impossible without throwing the balance into chaos."

"I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. The balance that you speak of his in danger. The powers of evil are growing. Without Boaz being defeated, the chaos you fear will arrive. You must do this. Please, for the balance of the world."

"Then please elaborate, but I do not give a guarantee I shall do as you wish, only that I will here you out." Raphael replied

I am your subordinate...for now, but your estate? Please master, don't flatter yourself, Vladimir thought to himself, his temper rising slightly.

"Raphael, did you hear about those demons attacking the coast? I could vaguely hear the noises of them thumping around on our carriage ride. Those were Boaz's doing. He will stop at nothing from attempting to crush every town, every religious creature, every man, woman, and child, until he rules the world. That is why we're asking for your help," Vladimir brought up, before slinking back into the shadows.

"Before this goes any further, it may interest you to know, I am also a demon." Raphael replied he looked between the three, Vladimir, Katrina and this Kurtis Armus.

"Do not be offended, Raphael, I was only commenting on those rampaging creatures that wiped out many a village and killed many people," replied Vladimir.

"Who said anything about being offended, I was simply informing your friend of what he was dealing with. Dishonesty in dealings are not practical nor conductive to trust." He replied with a glance at Vladimir and Kurtis.

"Well, Malthazius, I am relieved to know that you check into the background of those you target. I would hate to think that you just killed any demon or vampire. We are not all bad. You impress me." Aeschia stood up and stretched.

"Do you have anything to drink here?" She asked. "Some wine perhaps?

"Do you still seek out the being that killed your beloved?" Aeschia asked. "I suppose it is none of my business, really. I am sorry.

"As for my background... well, it goes back a bit further than yours." Aeschia chuckled.

"I am actually a bit over 600 years old. Thankfully, I do not look it! However, seriously, I am originally from the Mediterranean... Italy. I was born to a noble family. When I was in my twenties, I met a man and fell in love with him. He happened to be high nobility and much older than I. He had been in the Roman Senate. Most of Italy knows him, and he is considered almost royalty. He still is well known by many mortals and all vampires. Our marriage was wonderful for 600 years. We lived in ultimate luxury." Aeschia told him.

"Honestly, I still do. I have a palace in Italy, not too far from my ex's palace. We are still friends, which is nice. I just needed to get out on my own for a while and see the rest of the world. How the 'other half' lives, so to speak. He had no interest in giving up his luxurious lifestyle. He had been around so long that he had been through all this and did not want to go through it again. He still spends his time on the fine arts, stunning clothes, and get-togethers with mortals and kindred."

Aeschia continued, "I had to see for myself what the countryside and the smaller villages, as well as the people in those areas were like. I had never seen or lived such a life. It was always privilege for me, and I know the world is not like that for everyone." She intoned.

"So, we went our separate ways. I had yet to see much of the world and meet many of its people." Aeschia was pacing back and forth.

"I have been traveling for about two years, from village to village and city to city. I have learned much and enjoyed meeting all the new people. I guess you could say I am a people person." She smiled at Malthazius.

"You have been particularly interesting. I have never come across a hunter who actually looks into the background of those he may target and I admire that. It is the only way to do it without killing innocents."

"Oh, by the way, my ex-husband's name is Marius." Aeschia informed him.

"As sad as these accommodations are, I am grateful to have met you Malthazius." Aeschia smiled at him.

"If you would like, I could help you in your endeavors for a while. I am, after all, traveling, looking for adventure, and companionship, and you seem like a very decent sort." She grinned. "And I like your company so far."

"I think," said Malthazius, turning from the window, "that your company would be greatly appreciated. Have I hunted that which killed Adrianna? Yes, if I ever hear rumors of a dark shadow leaving people half dead on the roadside. But I have never heard anything of importance, merely rumors, and my efforts have been in vain."

"Great! I would be happy to help you." Aeschia responded.

"Although I never heard of a dark shadowy figure. Do you mean that it looks like a shadow? What shape is it? Of a human or something else?" She inquired.

"If you have no wine, I could go to my room and get some." She offered.

"I don't know the exact shape. It only appears as a shadow, humanoid, but not entirely human. It is not something that I would have us dwell on.

"As to wine, well, I am sure you can imagine the complexities of me traveling with alcohol. While it does strengthen me, I would lose too much for it to be practical to carry with me. I wouldn't mind the wine, but allow me to go with you, for while I know that you are capable of traveling by thineself, I will not tarnish my honor by not escorting thee for the retrieval of thine beverage."

"You are amazingly chivalrous, considering it is only down the hall." Aeschia grinned. "Come along if you like. I hope you like Shiraz. I am quite partial to it. If not I picked up a few other things from the bar prior to coming up here." She smiled.

"Do not get the wrong idea! I do not sit around and drink, but it is handy to have if you do meet a nice person to chat with." Aeschia looked at him and smiled.

She opened the door to her room and grabbed the bottle of Shiraz and two crystal glasses. "Is this OK with you? If not, we can always get something else from the bar."

Aeschia waited to see if he approved of the beverage.

"It is fine. I am a lover of the Whiskey from the islands of Britain and Eire, but I do enjoy wine nonetheless," Malthazius commented as he sipped the red liquid. "I must say that I am impressed with your choice of wines. A by product of living in Italy for 600 years, I suppose?"

"Possibly," Aeschia replied. "However, Shiraz comes from New Zealand and Australia. I adore the peppery ones." She told him.

"Malthazius, if you like, I will go down to the bar and get your favorite whiskey. I have no problem with that." She offered.

"I am not trying to brag, but I am very wealthy. I was even before I married Marius, who is wealthy beyond comprehension." She informed him. "Have you heard of him? He is wonderful. All vampires worship him and he is a good man and mingles with mortals as he does with kindred. A good share of mortals have heard of him as well."

Karasu sipped her wine. "I am sorry. I went off on a tangent there. Would you like me to get your whiskey? I would be more than happy to do so, especially since you were so kind to me after I played that prank on you, and you gave me that beautiful ruby brooch. My birthstone happens to be the ruby. I am a Leo and a Wood Dragon." Aeschia smiled.

"The more I think of it, the more I insist on getting your favorite whiskey. Would you like to come down with me and pick it out yourself. Money is no object.... Oh wait, they'll attack you after that incident." Aeschia chuckled.

"Write down exactly what you would like, and I will go get it for you... I do insist." She intoned.

"Never," said Malthazius. "I am German in name, but Celtic by blood, and a Gaelic man would never allow a woman to buy his drink. It is not a matter of chivalry, it is a matter of honor and my manhood. I know that it sounds foolish, but I invite you to grow up in a house where your father wakes you each morn by throwing a bucket of water on your face. It grows on one's being. As to the whiskey, it is not that I want it perpetually, it is simply that, if placed in a room filled with every drink imaginable, and only one choice allowed, I would barrel straight for a keg of Scotch Whiskey."

Malthazius was actually enjoying the company of this woman. True, she was a vampiress, but she also acted polite, had a sense of honor, and most importantly, seemed to have retained her morals from her past life. He was sipping the glass again when he heard the sounds of glass breaking. That couldn't be good.

"How right you are, Raphael, how right you are," replied Vladimir.

"If you don't mind me, I must have a word with the young lady here," he said, bowing. He walked to Katrina, a small smile on his face.

"Follow me, Katrina. We can begin some...training..." he whispered, as he walked into Katrina's room.

Aeschia startled at the breaking glass and looked at Malthazius, both wondering what was going on.

"Sould we stay here or go back up to the roof?" Aeschia asked him. "Well, a pleasant night ruined." She frowned.

Katrina smiled and gave a curt nod of the head to Raphael before following Vladimir into her room. She shut the door and locked it for added privacy between her and her Master. She walked up behind him.

"I am ready to learn Master."

Vladimir smiled as he turned around. He admired her pretty face before beginning his lesson. "I just have simple things in mind. Things that can help you in public places. Things such as your smile, and your fangs."

He walked close to Katrina. "Now smile broadly for me, Katrina. Like you would any day."

Katrina had expected more challenging things than a simple smile yet as with all things in life it must taken in strides. The vampiress gave Vladimir a broad grin, her fangs were easily distingishiable from the rest of her upper teeth.

The Count laughed as she smiled, deadly fangs quite visible, even in the dark room.

"You have a beautiful smile," said Vladimir, as he walked even closer, leaning towards her. He gently put his hands on her soft cheeks, moving her lips with his thumbs.

"But, darling as you are, even the bravest will run in fear," he joked as he played with her full lips, moving .

"This will feel awkward at first, but with practice, you will become... A proffesional smiler," he chuckled. Vladimir took a step back and looked at her, admiring her smile...and everything else about her...

"Beautiful..." he muttered. Katrina's fangs were well hidden, as Vladimir had gently pulled her lips above them.

"My sight isn't the best at night, and if something were to happen, I would prefer to be in clothing a little more agreeable to my style," said Malthazius. "If you don't mind, would you check the roof while I change into something a little more preferable? I would rather not burn this cloak, it was a gift from my uncle that I received last time I visited him."

"Of course." Aeschia flipped up to the roof and looked around. It was safe up there, however she decided to give Malthazius some more time to change into his 'anti-pyro' armour.

Aeschia lied down on her back and watched the stars while she waited.

Katrina's mouth had already felt weird from the fangs and now it felt even more weird with her upper lip covering her fangs. Still, it was needed so that it wouldn't freak out the humans if she came into contact with any. Licking her lips, she smiled again at Vladimir, this time covering the whole of her fangs. She looked at Vladimir, studying every contour of his face and body, she grinned a little wider, but still managed to keep her fangs covered.

"After smiling...what else is there?"

Malthazius was calm as walked back to his room, but once inside, he immediately went into rush mode. This was further aided by the fact that he discovered the source of the breaking glass. Somebody had thrown a brick into his window, with a piece of paper tied to it. He stripped off his clothes, put on his pyro armor, and then decided to read the note. It wasn't good.

He found Aeschia on the roof. "I think you should read this. It came into my room tied to a brick that was the source of the crash I heard earlier. It appears to be for you."

Aeschia grabbed the note hesitantly wondering what could be so awful.

"Tell me, when you spent time with Marius, did he ever refer to himself as the Great Patron? I don't mean to pry, but in matters of safety, I do need to know a little about the 'Unclean Companion of the Great Patron of Defilement,' which seems to be such a colorful way of describing what I assume is you."

"Y- Yes... he was referred to as the Great Patron, however not of defilement!" Aeschia was shocked.

She looked up at Malthazius with worry in her eyes. "Malthazius, what is this about?"

"Excellent, you learn fast," The count said as he slowly retracted his hands from Katrina's pretty face. His conscious told him to kiss her...he knew he fell for her already, being partially why he took her under his wing. But he wanted to savor the moment.

"Well, to be a vampire, one needs class," Vladimir replied. "You most certainly look every bit a noble. I would even think you had noble blood in you."

"At least I think a proper vampire needs class. Those petty criminals bring all of our reputations down," he frowned slightly, thinking of the one that made Katrina what she was now.

"But you, will be one of the best, because you have me as an instructor," he chuckled, winking.

"Any noble you'll see knows how to dance. Dance the waltz, to be exact. Tell me, have you danced often, before you became a vampire?" Vladimir asked.

"My guess, somebody that knew who and what Marius is, and coincidentally, doesn't approve. Probably a local. Your carriage is very distinct, and that person probably recognized the markings, watched, and realized it was you. The reason they hit my room was probably a mistake, as they should have been aiming for you. I think we'll have company before the night is out. Could I deal with them? I got worked up for nothing last night, and I need an outlet."

Katrina's cheeks turned the barest, most faint shade of red at Vladimir's compliments due to the blood she had drunk in his carriage. At the mention of dancing, Katrina did not answer right away, she faltered slightly, unsure of herself. Of course in her village when there was a good harvest, a wedding, or another kind of festive event, there was some music and dancing. Though it was far removed from the smooth, graceful movements of what the nobles did.

"A little Master...back in my village...but nothing like what nobles have done."

"Oh my!" Aeschia utterred. "I assumed I would be quite anonymous here." She said to Malthazius.

Aeschia sighed. "Please do take care of this. I am just not in the mood for dealing with this myself if I do not have to."

She added, "And make sure you tell them I am not unholy!"

Aeschia gave him a hug. "Thank you Malthazius. I appreciate this very much."

"Then I shall teach you the way we dance," he replied with a smile.

"Now, positions," he began as he walked very close to Katrina, facing her. He took hold of her right hand with his left and held it slightly above shoulder height.

"Your right hand and my left hand remain up here, while your left hand goes to my right shoulder," Vladimir explained as he moved her hands to their positions. "And my left hand, goes on your waist, if you don't mind, of course."

Katrina allowed Vladimir to move her hands into proper position for the dance. Her eyes turned up to his and locked with his. She smiled and with their privacy she didn't bother with covering her vampire fangs. Still looking at him, she spoke quietly.

"I think you lead."

Vladimir smiled at Katrina, entranced to her smile.

Realizing that she spoke the truth, he answered suddenly. "That I do! You're a natural, Katrina. A misplaced noble," he chuckled as he brought his hand to her side.

"Now, what I will do is move my left foot forward, as you move your right foot back. Then, I shall move my right foot to the right as you move your left foor to the left. Then I shall bring my left foot in to close, and we repeat. My left hand will guide us as we slowly turn in step." Vladimir said as he looked into Katrina's beautiful eyes, unblinking into the beauty that she was.

"Typical music for this dance tends to be said as one-two-three, in which we move our feet in that way. Let us begin slowly."

Vladimir began at a slow pace, announcing the number as they went along, keeping his eyes on Katrina, each spin, bringing his face closer to hers.

"Tell them? I'd be happy to, but I don't believe our company will be of a listening nature. Its going to be an angry mob at the doors, ready to burn this whole place down. I was going to fight fire with fire..."

Boaz landed in outside of a jungle in the middle of Asia. He looked around. Nobody was around. He slowly walked in. He had to see if a certain object was there.

Katrina looked at her feet as they slowly began to dance, making sure she hit every step as Vladimir called out the number. She slipped twice, each time corrected by Vladimir and it seemed the vampiress was getting the hang of it. She looked back up at him as the spinning brought her closer to his face. She inhaled his smell, savoring it and she smiled as she stared enchanted into his eyes. Katrina wanted him and she knew he wanted her.

Almost in a haze, she spoke to him softly. "Take me Master."

OOC- Sorry to keep you waiting theao, I had exams, but now my school years is over, and for a few days I won't be doing anything.

IC- "The balance is in danger because of Boaz. Usually, there is a single figurehead of good, and one of evil. Boaz is the one of evil. However, there is no figurehead of good. I can feel the missing of his presence. Either Boaz killed him, or he is not yet born. Boaz must be killed. When he dies, a new figurehead will replace him. By that time, hopefully the good figurehead will come. Raphael, understand that if you do not aid me, chaos my engulf the world."

"If this figurehead, as you put if, of evil is removed and there arrises a figurehead of good during the interm, that road leads to chaos also." Raphael replied, "Also you have not given me reason to believe that this Boaz is any eviler than you, or any other. In truth you could be attempting to manipulate me to through the balance into chaos for your own reasons."

ooc: That's fine

Vladimir and Katrina's waltz had increased in speed as they continued. Vladimir had stopped announcing the one-two-three, as they seemed to feel the time in their dancing.

Vladimir could imagine it, a ballroom, massive, nobles from all over the countryside gathering, yet Vladimir and Katrina were no doubt the best looking. The strings began a soft waltz, crescendoing to a climax.

"Take me Master," Katrina said. Vladimir looked deeply into her eyes, inching closer to her. The orchestra stopped, as Vladimir himself was cinemeters from her lips. Then...contact...

Vladimir closed his eyes, a broad smile on his face as he leaned over her, kissing her passionately, the ochestra continuing with a lovely romantic tune.

Vladimir opened his eyes as he slowly pulled away, the dark room replacing the brightness of the beautiful ballroom. But one figure had not disappeered. The most important one...

"Katrina..." he whispered quietly. "You are so beautiful..." He closed in for another kiss.

"So, you would rather damn the world the definite chaos, rather than take a chance and try to keep it from falling into chaos? And why would I want to throw the balance into chaos? If the world goes to chaos, I am not special. I too will perish."

"Are you not?" Raphael asked, "If you are not special as you claim, why did you request Vladimir sent his manservant to get me, one who from all that could be seen is simply a freak. Beyond my appearence, there is nothing that an ordinary person would be concerned about."

"I asked Vladmir to come get you, he sent his servant. I am an old man. I would go get you if I could. But I am weak. Vladmir told me about you. He told me you were special, and that you were a holy demon. That is a rare thing. Please, I'm only asking you to find out information about Boaz. Nothing more."

"Then perhaps Vladimir is the one I should be speaking with as until I returned, there was no reason for him to believe me to be a demon, or anything other than a simple traveller." He replied, a faint frown touching his face.

Krastatros had enough. He stood up. He made a motion with his hand. The entire mansion wnet into a lockdown. The doors and windows were sealed by his dark magic. Then, he appeared in his regular state. He ripped of his robe to reveal his armour, and his dark blade. "Look you infernal demon. You will do as I say, or else. You want to go to hell? I can send you there, if that is what you wish."

Raphael looked at his nails, "Actually, I believe you'll find you can not. Not even death shall send me to hell." He replied