Below Rock Bottom

by lethalwhispers

Dimitri's charge died on his watch. Broken, he returns to court and catches the eye of some very powerful people. His new duties take "they come first" to a whole new level. Without Dimitri, Rose can't handle the effects of Spirit darkness. Together, they attempt to crawl, bloodied and bruised from within the prisons of their minds. Contains Adult Themes, but no specific detail.

1. Prologue

Below Rock Bottom: Prologue

Summary: After Dimitri's charge, Ivan Zeklos, was killed by Strigoi, he lost all sense of purpose. When he returned to court for his new assignment, he caught the attention of some very powerful people. Dimitri's new circumstances take the saying "they come first" to a new extreme for him. "Guardian" Belikov never thought his life would end up like this, but he has become numb to it all. What will happen when a certain dark-haired beauty reignites his passion for duty, devotion, and morality.

AN: I am a girl, and uncomfortable writing from a man's POV. For now, the prologue will be the only part of the story from Dimitri's POV. It will likely stay that way unless the scene requires otherwise. This is my first Fan Fic, and my first time making my writing public.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy, it is the property of Richelle Mead. While I wish I could have come up with this brilliance, I was simply inspired by it.

DPOV

This is just so wrong.

I sit with my eyes squeezed shut, all too eager to forget where I am and what I am about to do.

What I have done.

Many times.

My heartbeat quickens, my breath is ragged, and perspiration beads on my brow.

I don't have to open my eyes to know that the others in the room are disgusted by me. What I am.

They stand against the wall, dressed in black, seeing without really seeing. Stoic as ever.

Their revulsion of me hidden securely behind practiced emotionless masks.

I used to be one of them.

I used to stand in the shadows and protect my charge.

That was before everything changed. Now there is no one to protect anymore.

Not for me anyway.

That life is over, and a new one has seemingly been chosen for me.

I could have fought it, but what's the point?

Why fight something morally wrong when my sense of morality is buried six feet under disrupted soil with my charge.

Why fight this fate when I have nothing better to live for?

At least there is a purpose for my existence, a reason for every breath I take.

A reason that every night, I eventually open my eyes the next morning.

At least it's better than nothing.

Better than the torment inside my own mind.

As I sit, and wait, and think, the sweat finally dribbles down my forehead.

It mixes in with the silent, salty tears falling down my face.

The old me would have never shown any emotion in front of others, let alone despair.

My blatant tears are proof of just how far I've fallen.

Once a revered Guardian, now looked down upon by even the most inexperienced novice.

The door to my left opens, and a baritone voice echoes around the chamber, "The Queen is ready to see you now, Mr. Belikov."

I flinch at the removal of my title, but there is no point in correcting him.

I am no Guardian.

Resignedly, I open my eyes, and dry my face on my shirt. Sweat and tears soaking into the black cotton.

I rise and bring my fingers to lightly trace the puncture wounds on my neck, anticipating the high, and the comforting void that it will bring.

I slowly put one foot in front of the other, walking ever closer to my source of short-term relief and prolonged suffering.

I am disgusted with who I have become.

All I can do is forget.

At least for a short while.

What have I done?

-lethalwhispers