(AN: Hello everyone, this is the second story in the series, A Dark Price to Save a Life: A Hope. Originally, the title was going to be A Thirst, but then this one just slapped me and demanded I change it, so I did. Please review, I would just love to know what you all think of this. It is rated T for killing and mentions of blood, and will have slight, slight, nudity. )
Hunger and Thirst, while both a basic of any living being, if not kept in check, can have the most terrifying of consequences.
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In a dark wasteland, barren of most vegetation, was filled with a rather alarming amount of life. Everywhere you looked, you could see all sorts of creatures, from scavengers to predators, in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Some looked humanoid, while other looked like they were from your worst nightmares, coming and going through the area.
The activities of each one differ from one another; some would be in groups, protect the others along with themselves, while others would be killed and eaten if they could not defend themselves.
Sometimes that was the kinder fate to receive.
This scenery was taken in by dark red eyes, considering their options from atop a slight hill.
The being that was watching would have easily been mistaken as a human, if not for the blood thirsty red eyes, pearly tipped fangs that just rested lightly on the lower lip, and the deadly, slightly clawed hands. But even with those rather abnormal traits, the handsome features the being had still showed. Even with all the filth on him, the rags that barely covered him, and the supernatural features, the deadly being was still breathtaking in his looks.
The being had soft hair the color of milk chocolate, and tanned skin that looked silky to the touch. He had strong, almost noble features in his face and body, and a rather tall stature as well. He was lean, but muscled, showing great strength and grace as he prowled down the hill. Even the crimson stare he had was entrancing, showing all his power, grace, and blood lust in just one glance as he stalked unseen into the small valley.
Beings who were in tune with their instincts, fled the area as fast as they could, seeking to get away from whatever upset them. And others joined them, their common sense telling them if others were leaving, then they probably should to. The only ones who stayed were those who didn't realize anything was wrong, or felt they could take whatever was coming at them.
The blood bath that followed was nothing short of horrifying.
The handsome being who had been so patiently watching from the hill, had turned into nothing but a monster, ripping into one beast or being after another, gluttonously devouring ever last drop of blood from those it had managed to catch. Only very few managed to escape with a few scrapes and bruises, all others lying bloodless from the trail of destruction the Vampire left. But soon, others would scavenge the bodies, eating their fill and erasing all evidence of the gluttonous being's trail.
Releasing a most blood chilling hiss, the Vampire dropped another bloodless body to the ground, blood smeared from his lips and trailing down his chin and neck. Growling slightly, the being in human skin took in the scene once more, looking for anything he might have missed. Hissing at the sight of only the bodies he had already drained, he hurried on his way, his stomach demanding more.
It was like this everyday for the Vampiric being; no sleep, just endless hunting, wanting to kill and feed, and drink. Anything to put off the Hunger and Thirst he felt every hour, every day.
He had even been close to sating his cursed belly that day, ever so. But soon, the instinctual being knew the hunger would only come back, worst then ever before. Already, it was slowly creeping back, the intense needs, the burning in his throat, the claws in his stomach.
Mood darkening, the being took in the twilight's fading light in, coming to attention when it heard a screech-like noise. Turning in the direction, the being took in a rather sad sight.
What could only be described as a mother defending her children, a rare beautiful, bird-like creature that could only be a Harpy, was defending it's ground-bound nest from a rather large feline beast. It was obvious that the mother was only holding off the inevitable, as she was pinned between saving her life and the lives of her offspring. And even if she saved them from the great cat, others were waiting in the shadows, hungry for an easy meal.
Considering the scene before him, the Vampire disregarded the Harpy for the moment, and focused on the cat; after all if the cat were to manage to eat the Harpy, that would mean less blood. Hissing slightly, the bloody being got into a crouch position, waiting to pounce at the best chance it would receive…
NOW
Quicker then most could see, the vampire pounced, getting into the perfect position on the feline, going right for the throat. The first taste of the blood, while not the best, was most assuredly not the worst blood the bloodsucker has had. The cat had of coursed tried to get him off, but like the leech he was, he wasn't letting go, no matter what the beast did.
But as the beast was getting weaker and weaker, and the Vampire getting fuller and fuller, a strange thing happened.
The Vampire was getting full.
And with it, images came to mind.
With the beast fully drained, the vampire let go of it's hold, staring dumbly at his surroundings. A frown coming over the handsome bloody face, the vampire stared as image after image came to mind.
'Memories' came the thought.
For the first time in a long time, the Vampire felt so tired. Looking around, the being saw that he and the Harpy were the only ones there, his presence scaring others away. Slightly unsteady, the Vampire got off the bloodless corpse and walked over to the Harpy's nest. He could see she was trembling in fear, tears coming to her eyes as she covered her eggs with her body. Frowning at her slightly, the vampire got in on the other side of her large nest, the part away from her and the eggs, and started to fall asleep. He knew the Harpy was in no condition to attack him, and with his presence their, it would scare others away, so she could only benefit with him there.
So, he fell asleep.
It was a pretty interesting experience.
Images, much clearer now, danced around his mind, telling him tales of what could only be about him. Except, he was human, and not a bloodsucking monster, he was loved, cared for by others, even had been in love.
He had even had a name.
Hershel Layton.
The name felt ever so right, as if it was made for just him, a name that defined who he was.
As he watched memory after memory, one particular one caught his attention, making him focus on that one more.
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Layton frowned, pacing in his empty home as he waited. For what made itself known quickly.
"They are gone, Pestilence shall miss them, and a few others." was suddenly heard around the room, as if it were an echo.
Relief flooded over the Professor's face, tears coming to his eyes at the news. When he had woken up from his 'Vision', any thought of it being blamed on bad tea or Flora's cooking was cut off at the very root; their had been an envelope on his desk filled with money and a note from the broker.
"Going to need this if you want Flora and Luke safety guaranteed." had been written in such odd handwriting, as if the writer wasn't used to writing in the language. Seeing that the dream had indeed been a real vision, the good professor got to work.
While he did hate manipulating people, he knew it would have to be necessary if he were to save their lives, though he did go about it subtly. He had managed to convince over half his colleagues that getting out of England was the way to go, even a few of his students were now going to be safe if all went to plan.
But what had in near state of panic was for Luke and Flora. It had been a time trying to convince Clark to go, and even then he had to manipulate Brenda a bit. But it wasn't so hard, what with the worry she was already facing with the cough that seemed to be going around.
Shivering at the thought of the cough, Layton went back to his earlier train of thought. He had known Clark was going to be hard to convince, but with summer coming upon them, and the cough seeming to turn into an epidemic, Hershel had gotten desperate.
He knew that his friend had been unsettled by his behavior, and would always be thankful that Clark never asked about it. He knew he wouldn't have been able to answer any of his questions, especially when he handed him that will, the letters he had wrote to Flora and Luke separately, and the money.
He hoped one day they might come to forgive him for the manipulations he did.
"So I am to pay my cost now, correct?" the cursed man said, closing his eyes as he asked.
"Indeed you shall. You will have to be sent to a world where your don't exist, since apparently according to some laws of space and time and blah, blah, blah. You get the picture, see?"
"I guess that is somehow understandable." the gentleman said, nodding.
"… Damn, why do you have to be so likeable!" the voice suddenly echoed, sounding quiet frustrated.
Blinking his eyes open at the words, Layton regarded the now fuming figure in front of him, only able to say two words.
"Excuse me?"
"Not only are you polite and honorable, you use your deal to help others, not even having the comfort of knowing if your loved ones will ever truly be safe, you.… You haven't even tried to break the deal once to save yourself! You're honestly willing and happy to give up everything for those you care for!" The Wish broker said in disbelief.
"I'm guessing you don't get this often?" Layton asked, slightly worried that the being would have a nervous break down.
"Often? This is the first time this has ever happened, in ever! Never before have I met a Human so kind and unselfish, with actual intelligence in their brain and love in their heart. That you are willing to go through a cost that will turn you into a monster is just… This just doesn't happen in my line of work…"
"Well, thank you?" Hershel said, not sure how to take the unexpected complements.
"… Okay, since I actually want to sleep at night, I'll help you a little, free of charge. Since you will be practically thrown into a world extremely different from this one, I'll give you a few little gifts of my own to help you out." the figure said, suddenly only an inch away from the kindly teacher, putting their hand over the human's heart.
Suddenly, Layton found his vision full of strange and odd symbols, which after looking at for just a minute, he found he could understand exactly what they were saying. But the symbols weren't the only change to have happen; it suddenly felt like his blood was frozen.
Both the symbols and the freezing feeling only lasted a minute, but afterwards Layton found himself on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
"Alright then, now you will be able to understand any language you see or hear, but you might have a few problems with the writing. And on another note, your blood now has the ability to restore sanity to all who taste it. Though since it is your blood, you are immune to it, but oh well, you'll at least get some servants out of the deal. Equal exchange and all that jazz. Anyways, have fun with your new life!" The figure said, sounding much more cheerful than before.
Wanting to say something, the Professor found that he could not, his mouth suddenly feeling like sandpaper, his stomach giving him such awful cramps, and his hands itched terribly so. Then suddenly, his vision blackened, and he knew nothing else.
When he had woken up, his mind had been a blank, his hunger great, and his instincts wild in a world not his own.
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Wakening up was an experience as well, with how there was just sleep, then sudden conscious. Looks like he would always skip on that awkward moment between sleep and true wakefulness. Stretching, Hershel decided the first thing he needed to do was get his thoughts in order.
It had been… an Interesting few minutes, the Vampire staring out into space as he thought over everything, mostly his past life as a human, the deal, and what he had done.
While deciding that his past was the past, that did not mean he could not be himself. Though… he would be quiet different, due to the circumstance of being a bloodsucker. He found he did not regret a single life he had drained, in fact, he more regretted the fact he didn't. It was rather odd.
"If you're going to kill me, please get it over with! The wait is painful enough as it is." an elegant, yet strained voice said, the distress getting Layton out of his thoughts.
Turning to look, the Vampire regarded the, to his surprise, Harpy mother. As with all Harpies, instead of arms, she had soft brown bat like wings in her stead, with what looked like human hands instead of claws at the top tips. She had marred peach colored skin, scars probably from fights she had been in from protecting herself and her eggs. Her eyes and hair both matched an amber color, her hair a lighter amber and in an uneven cut, while her eyes were much darker, filled with fear and determination. She was covered in rather worn rags, that only just hid her modesty, and did nothing to hide her beauty.
"I wish not to harm you or your offspring. I merely wished for a place to rest for a while, and your nest was a better place then any. I do apologize for any inconvenience I have caused Miss." Layton said, truly meaning what he said, the gentleman in him not standing for anything untruthful.
The woman actually looked surprised, starting to calm down as she regarded him with more curiosity then fear. "You speak, and are rather polite, suggesting some sort of intelligence. How truly curious." She said, getting a little closer.
"My intelligence of the world is lacking, but I am rather good in mathematics and languages. Tell me, can you tell me more of the world? It has to be more then this wasteland around us." Layton asked, knowing that if he wanted to do more then just survive in this world, he would have to know more about it. Besides, he loved to learn, and this would be quiet the learning experience.
"… Yes, there is much more to the world then this land." She said, a considering look in her eyes, "There are whole cities and provinces around this world, and libraries that would have you better informed… I have a proposition for you." she suddenly said, a look of hope in her eyes.
"I'm listening." Layton said, nodding for her to continue.
"You see, I was exiled from my home, reason unimportant. But, if me and my young can survive here for a year, we will be welcomed back with honor. Now, no matter if you had just been getting a meal earlier, when you have spared my life, and the lives of my young in doing so, I am now heavily in you debt. Now, due to the debt, I am honor bound to return it in kind in any way I can, from saving your life, to giving you riches. But as I am not in any condition to give you anything, we are at an impasse."
"I know my young and I will not even be able to get pass the second month. To be honest, I have been here for a month, and I'm surprised I have lived that long on my own. If I want to survive the rest of the year, with my young alive, I will need help." She said, the hope in her eyes now flaming.
"So you would like my help to keep you and your children alive, and in return you will take me to your home so that I will be able to collect my debt from you." Layton said thoughtfully, reading between the lines.
"I don't see why not, as we will both benefit from it. I agree to do all I can to help you and your young live. Just please make sure to return your own promises." Hershel agreed, nodding at the Harpy.
"Of course! I promise to pay my debt of honor to you in a way that will be agreeable to the both of us. My name is Evita Cross, and you?" Evita asked, curious.
"Hershel Layton, madam. You may call me Hershel." the former professor said, a smile on his face, showing his deadly fangs to the world.
For some reason, that only seemed to reassured the Harpy, who smiled back at the Vampire.
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If someone had told Evita Cross she would not only be saved by a Vampire, but consider the bloodsucker a friend, she would have told them to see a Witch to get their head examined.
Then again, as Evita watched Hershel bring her some edible plants, she hadn't met the sweetheart that was Hershel Layton. Smiling, she took one of the fruits from the pile, biting into the sour, yet edible flesh.
Oh, he was defiantly a cold blooded killer and all that, what with the way he was draining his own meal, which was shrieking an awful lot as it died. But when it came to things outside of his food, the man was such a gentleman.
Those were rather rare in her life, Evita would think rather bitterly sometimes.
She had been so young, so naïve, so stupid before she had come to the Exile Lands. She had fallen in love, a true love, with a Harpy of lower status then her own Marquise. She had of course not cared about that, happily bonding with the male who loved her just as much as she loved him.
But then, one of her previous suitors, one she had flirted with in the past, had come, challenging for her. Her love had easily won the challenge, it had been no trouble for him, but the suitor, while he lost, did not give in.
She still did not know how the male had done it, but he had managed to have her love imprisoned in their own home, comatose until his young told him they loved him. While she had been distressed, she had been placated that as she was pregnant, his children would soon say that they loved him.
But then the rival male Harpy had used his influence and sources to bring the honor of the House of Cross down, demanding that she do the Trial of Exile, and survive it to bring it back. As her parents were to old to be able to even survive a day in the lands and she the only heir, she had no choice but to do it. Her house was already looked down upon for her choice in marriage, she did not need the main branch of her family to get involved if she were to refuse. They would demand that her young be slaughtered and her marriage to her love be voided.
She knew that this had been what the suitor was hoping for, to get the main branch of her family involved, so that they may choose him as her new husband. But she had surprised everyone when she had agreed to the demand, choosing her love and young to be born over what most would say is common sense.
While she knew she was foolish, she would never change her choice. Staring at the foot long eggs in her nest, she knew that while it was the dangerous choice, it was also the right one. She also knew that she could have easily left her eggs, and survive much easier on her own for the year, but these young were her only hope. The only hope for her dear loved one to wake up once more, the only hope for a family filled with love, her way to still hope after all this time.
And thanks to Hershel, that hope would be allowed to flourish to a full bloom.
